Yes, I admit no one said 'threatened', I read that into the text for myself.

At this level, the only reason someone with a lot to lose would inform a company that they are about to make a press release which will paint a bleak picture of the company is to gain leverage and 'persuade' them to re-think their strategy.

I'm sometimes a little too 'say it as I see it' and the way I saw that was as a threat - Either you allow us to continue as we are, or else I'll make this press release...