"Because of the news articles."

Yes, generally that's how you make public aware of illegal activity.

Not having news about companies braking laws mean generally that the country is likely quite corrupt.

So I don't know where you are from but in Finland anyone breaking a law is expected to be treated equally.

If an individual had ignored the process to this extent they would be in quite hot water.

A large multinational company avoiding the official process feels unjust and is exactly the thing public has been extremely worried of happening regarding the environmental impact.

So it's not because news inflamed something.

It's because something like this is exactly what the public has been alarmed about for a long time.