I got a very different vibe. I did sense remorse, but the impression I got was that NE was going to run a story, and somehow Rovin caught wind of it. He runs in the same circle as many of these reporters and publishers. Anyway, he sees the proposed story, and it burns some of his confidential sources. So in exchange for cutting those identities out, he agrees to give up some of what he knows and participated in.
NE had lots of this material independently of Rovin.
So in exchange for cutting those identities out, he agrees to give up some of what he knows and participated in. Exactly what he did for the Clintons - learn about a story and work to get it toned down, spiked, or released in bits late on a Friday night. He's still "fixing" stories for them - you could tell that from what he would say and not say.