[pessimizer]

> I had a WSJ journalist threaten me if I don't participate he'll write whatever he wants.

You don't abandon a story if the people you are writing about refuse to participate. There's nothing wrong with this.

[wishinghand]

It seems like you missed the tone. The OP is implying that if they didn't give a quote for the sorry, the journalist will write them saying what they want them to say.