How long do you think those requests took to approve? If the media abided by those rules, the heck I'd have no problem with them doing the same with domestic law enforcement. But honestly, who are we kidding? You think the media would agree to hold a story until an OP is completed, when local and independent press would break such a story much earlier? ....the public wants the gist (even if completely wrong), well before the details.
How long has this been going on?
Seems plenty of time. Maybe find a previously embedded reporter.
I don't think it would take many. Besides, the police deal with reporters in other places. Why is this different?