This is very interesting to me. ABC News reported it as the serious story it was, even with the caveat that it was probably a bottle rocket or whatever. Obviously, they were told to cease and desist. By what authority? Who speaks to the media and informs them that national security prevents them from broadcasting further on this? (If the story was nothing, normally there is a quick update stating that it's nothing and why.)
Now, if we had some kind of hostage situation and the authorities were battling the clock to bust our guys free, I can understand BOTH the government shutting down the media on the secret op, and the media not reporting it. Here, where is the national security or "loose lips" problem?
After 9/11 I thought it was the position of the administration to OVER-report risks in order to CYA. I want a robust economy, sure, but I am not willing to hide airline flight risks in order to keep it.
You have expressed the conflict within the reporting well.
Each time I am ready to give up following this thread something new develops or someone like you points out why we should not "just move along".