Yes, you are correct. If they didn't approve, the other "reporters", especially the women, would be screaming about Acosta karate chopping the female staffer. They sure howled about Corey Lewandowski touching a female. Instead, they rally around Acosta.
The anti-Corey Lewandowski story lasted for weeks IIRC. What a difference and Trump’s aide was where she belonged. The woman who accused Corey was in space too close to Trump where Secret Service had told her not to go.