Absolutely agree with your sentiments,
A rule of thumb everyone should follow is, "do not punish behaviors you want to see." (can't remember the real quote).
In this situation, people leading and/or communicating to large groups of people have two options: Either to sit at the aviary for half an hour to bird 6 people or spend two minutes DM'ing them via discord. What do you think people will choose?
Wishing to see everything done IRPly and then making it such a hassle for, truthfully no good reason, is ridiculous. Especially when it restricts communication, one of the most important aspects of LotC as a whole.
+1 to this.