"The problem in this case is that FB represents a direct threat to the media businesses, and they are incentivized to drag out the issue as long as necessary"
Maybe the problem is that they've actually done something objectionable here, and it's not just a conspiracy against them.
> Maybe the problem is that they've actually done something objectionable here, and it's not just a conspiracy against them.
That is very clear, and I think you missed the point.
We've seen numerous examples recently, including Equifax and Wells Fargo and Mylan, of objectionable situations where the strategy of "say as little as possible" allowed the companies to move on and show even greater profits. None of those companies represent a threat to the media entities. What makes the current Facebook situation different from those is the added incentives.
I don't grant your premise. All three of those examples were (and continue to be) excoriated by the media for weeks. So far, Facebook has had a bad weekend. We're a long way from media conspiracy.
In other words, nothing here is out of the ordinary.
Maybe the problem is that they've actually done something objectionable here, and it's not just a conspiracy against them.