German media now has the story...
Thanks to @ajsadauskas here is a first example of German media picking up the story of Meta blocking links to Pixelfed:
https://social.heise.de/@heiseonlineenglish/113820189442440223
link to article: https://www.heise.de/en/news/Unprecedented-growth-Facebook-blocks-links-to-Instagram-alternative-Pixelfed-10237928.html
Will update if and when there is any US tech media story, but don't hold you breath.