FWIW, the criminal and civil causes of action, and the remedies, are separable. See OJ Simpson for an example where he wasn't convicted of the criminal charge of murder, but lost his civil case for wrongful death.
The reporter is free to file a civil action for false imprisonment, even if the DA takes no action relating to the criminal code. The civil action can also proceed if there is a criminal charge of kidnapping. The dude can demand money from his captors.
The reporter is probably a Democrat who voted for Obama in 2008 and will vote for him again in 2012 despite this incident...probably won’t want to cause trouble for his team...or want any indiscretion in his life suddenly to become public knowledge (remember Joe the Plumber).