Well yeah, this is no E3, but this isn't an entirely closed off event. The media still has access, and in that sense it's still very much public. It's for that reason that Mr. Hecker just had to issue an apology.
I'm glad Nintendo is doing so well, but they can keep that cocksure attitude they're starting to adopt to themselves.
And I know Nintendo couldn't reveal anything big (though in my opinion I think they stretched that excuse), but that doesn't change the fact that Sony could, and did. It was a nice joke on Reggie's part, but it didn't reflect the realities of the GDC, where Sony--unfortunately--shined the brightest.