role here. Ava didn't blow the whistle on some crime. She OUTED Blaze. it is hard to argue that if Ava had not given the audio clip to the weasel, Blaze would have come out on her terms.
I hate Natalia but what she said is loathsome, but it is not a crime. Like you said, the perfect way to blow up Natalia was to play the recording to Sonny. That way mission accomplished.
BTW, what was Ava's mission here? to rile up Sonny against Natalia? If so, see above.
A journalist giving up their source is right up there with Martin giving up Nina. If Gregory was alive, he would be so disappointed in Alexis. Instead, here we go again with the whistleblower being the focus of the mob & pitchforks when it should be the GUILTY party.