They didn't want to because they weren't ready, but they were told the story was going to run with or without a statement from them of any kind. The reporter refused to sit on the release, so a very poorly planned, premature, inaccurate story was released. As in other news venues, ratings are more important than accuracy or the wishes of those whose living depends on the success or outcome of the venture.
Kind of like, " The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated", Mark Twain