I read a ton of articles that routinely use a persons first name, why suddenly should proper formality be artificially upheld in context of a culture that uses patronyms? They use first names as names, and in the context of an article they can use a first name without it getting confusing.
But in certain areas and with certain publications this clashes with house style. For example the tabloids/red-tops are happy to refer to Boris Johnson (London Mayor) as BoJo or simply Boris, the broadsheets would say Boris Johnson first and then use "Johnson" to refer to the person as using a first name is considered impolite and/or disrespectful in formal writing (which the broadsheets tend towards at least in non-editorial pieces).
More in depth or higher class pieces that are not expected to be widely consumed may well then go a step further and assume the reader has detailed knowledge of name systems (for example Chinese "Family Name, Given Name" ordering).
So to reiterate the expression of one of the parent posts they appear to be writing to their audience. Be offended or confused if you like.