It is unclear how HP got access to the "internal communications", but if I shared internal communications with a news outlet, I would be in deep doo-doo, particularly if the issue I was raising had not been escalated internally and my employer was clearly aware and had the opportunity to address it.
Whistle blowing has it's place, but it is unclear that DL management was aware of this situation. As noted, the people suggesting that the door remain closed were really not the final decision makers it seems.