It seems to me to be a relatively adequate description. If a CF member who is also a poster in ~E~ gets into a dispute with CF Staff, it is common for that person's posting in ~E~ to be mentioned by CF Staff.
Further, at one point, CF Staff were banned by CF upper Staff from posting in ~E~.
Further, murron's resignation thread (and the "I agrees" posted in response to it) tend to show fear of "takeover" of CF by IIDB.
Further, concern about "leaks" of Sooper Seekrit Staff Stuff tend to be focused on whether or not it is discussed in ~E~. I do not see similar concern about it being discussed in other places on the web or in IMs or emails.
Further, the testimony of former CF Staff members who post in ~E~--especially those who have "been stepped down"--is that their managers tend to look upon their posting in ~E~ as a liability and something to be discouraged.
It seems to me that fear is as good an hypothesis as any to explain these reactions. If you have some other hypothesis, I am willing to hear it.