It fits with existing patterns depressingly well. The issue is, it's generally very subtle.

E.g. Murdoch once even admitted on camera what he does. He "suggests" what he thinks should happen to politicians. Those that either agree, or follow his "advice" start getting negative stories about them dropped from his papers etc. Conversely, those that disagree get their positive stories dropped more. Once a few politicians have had their careers ended by it, most of the rest fall into line, it's only minor favours. Until it's not; and all the previous favours suddenly risk looking very bad in the press...

No laws broken, no overt threats given, but the more it happens the stronger it becomes. It eventually helped cripple BBC news, in the UK, among many other problems.

Reddits behaviour fits this pattern too well. Something has been offered in the background. Initially, it was for small favours, but it's now reached a tipping point. I suspect they are hoping that they can fire sale the whole user driven system (everything must go [at once]). People fatigue on the constant news, and there's nowhere new to flow and reorganize.

I doubt doubt it, but damn it makes sense

Hard to prove that type of stuff. It could just be incompetent leadership but it's starting to feel like it's something more given how many back to back missteps they've had recently.

Everything is a Machiavellian drama nowadays and some people are determined to be the rebel heroes.