I suspect for trivial ones like this (tresspass), it is pretty common. This guy was tresspassing in the wake news-worthy trespassers. A rationally self-interested owner might want to let the journalist off to avoid bad press.
That said, the other journalists remained at the gate. So this guy was going beyond the informal norms around there. Also it says: Mr. Brake embedded himself with a largely Indigenous group of protesters (which he refers to as “land protectors”) while they occupied workers’ accommodations. He live streamed their protest for several days.
So maybe he was seen as one of the protesters rather than a journalist covering them. Also does he cover a multi-day tresspass? If so, it is clearer that he should have sought permission from the owners before going in to film; at least after the initial rush.