it is an honor to those media guys if any government comments on or intervents their works; especially when this kind of demand from this kind of goverment; it sounds like Pritzer price to him. C must've enjoy this very much. Yes, it is an accident, it would be an excellent one if he mentioned it as chinese government in the first place.
Your interpretation of thug and goons is the best I've ever heard. the chinese translation goon to 呆鸟 is not accurate.