From the sounds of it, it was probably some sort of sting operation.
Also, I wonder if putting such a big emphasis on this guy doesn't just do the opposite of what they want by turning an otherwise non-notable figure into a bigger story. It is this that might make him more famous.
I just find it weird. They talk as if this guy is a big shot but he is just a random guy who reads the news (and he hadn't even been doing the job for long). When you look at the news, it's a bunch of non-notable figures who don't do anything beyond conveying a story. Who is thinking much of the news guy?