Throughout my fight to have the video of Alison’s murder removed from YouTube, I initially believed Gray Television would support me. Gray had acquired WDBJ7, and subsequently owned the video captured by Adam Ward, the photographer also killed that horrific day. Initially, I engaged Lenny Pozner, whose son died at Sandy Hook, to flag the numerous videos on YouTube. Gray promptly authorized him to act on my behalf.
However, I soon realized this approach was futile, akin to playing whack-a-mole. That's when I decided to target Google, the platform enabling these videos and profiting from them.
Despite Section 230 granting Google immunity except for copyright violations, our strategy aimed for a parallel to Al Capone's prosecution—where we couldn't catch them on major offenses, so we pursued them for "tax evasion" equivalents.
I assumed Gray, initially cooperative, would continue assisting. Yet, when Georgetown Law requested a co-copyright of the video to pursue our strategy, Gray went silent. This led me to write a note to Greta Van Susteren, a then Gray board member and part of their talent roster, whom I had met previously.
Hello Greta,
I hope you and John are coping well. We met at the National Press Club book fair in 2018, where you offered assistance if needed. Well, I need your help now.
For four years, I've battled Google to remove Alison's murder video from YouTube. This video's presence is unjustifiable, especially as Google profits from it. Despite Georgetown Law's efforts, including filing an FTC complaint, which garnered national media attention, our progress is limited. Without revoking Section 230, our only recourse is suing for copyright violation, which necessitates Gray Television's limited co-copyright agreement for the video.
Georgetown has repeatedly requested this from Gray legal, met with either silence or evasive responses. They've even been dismissive and uncooperative. I've seen your association with Gray and seek your assistance in securing an audience with Hilton Howell or Pat LaPlatney to present our case directly. Gray has a chance to do the right thing and be a hero, or risk aligning with Google's image. Your influence could avert the latter path.
I'm willing to share all relevant correspondence and welcome a phone conversation. I eagerly await your response.
Warm regards,
Andy
Unfortunately, I received no response. Greta had been fired by Fox News and ended up at Gray. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have been surprised by her lack of integrity. So, I took action, starting a petition on Change.org which garnered over 182,000 signatures, and used a rolling billboard outside Gray's offices with Change.org's help.
As the mobile billboard played around their headquarters, they called the police, who pulled over our mobile billboard and questioned the driver. They also called the police on me – a grieving father – and filed a report that said if I ever visit Gray TV’s headquarters, they’ll have me arrested. They threatened legal action, hired a PR firm to deal with me, and remained obstinate. Or should I say—assholes.
When I questioned Georgetown Law about Gray's reluctance despite no liability, their response, "I think Gray is more afraid of Google than they are of you," now makes sense.
Thus, the saga continues—Google, Gray, and the irrelevant Scientologist—partners in evil.
PS—You’re more than welcome to sign the petition and/or call Gray’s switchboard to mess with them.