The families of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre have sent a legal letter to NBC News chairman Andy Lack urging him not to broadcast Megyn Kelly’s interview with controversial InfoWars host Alex Jones.
The letter — from the law firm Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, which represents several of the families who lost loved ones in the 2012 tragedy — reads, “Airing Ms. Kelly’s interview implicitly endorses the notion that Mr. Jones’ lies are actually “claims” that are worthy of serious debate; and in doing so it exponentially enhances the suffering and distress of our clients. For that NBC is responsible.
“We urge you to consider the ethical and legal ramifications of broadcasting this interview to millions of Americans. By now, it should be clear to NBC that airing the interview will cause serious emotional distress to dozens of Sandy Hook families.”
Describing the pain the families still suffer, the letter states, “Parents have marked their children’s seventh, eighth, and ninth birthdays not with wonder and joyful chaos, but with the most profound loneliness this world knows. Erica Lafferty walked through a graveyard in her wedding dress and veil so that she could feel close to her mother, Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung – a woman who died trying to protect other parents’ children.
“Then there are all the other days; regular Thursdays like this one where a sound or a smell can transform the unrelenting ache of grief into intense, physical pain. Surely, we can agree that these families have suffered enough already, and that they will continue to suffer enough to last several lifetimes.
“Which is why we cannot fathom – from a moral, ethical or legal standpoint – NBC’s decision to amplify the voice of a man who has made a living debasing that suffering and smearing our clients’ names.
“Over the last few years, Alex Jones has weaponized his radio show to publish false and defamatory statements about our clients: chief among them that they are actors perpetrating a massive fraud on the American public by faking the deaths of their loved ones.
“NBC is not responsible for the harassment and abuse Alex Jones has cruelly visited on our clients. But, by choosing to air his interview with Ms. Kelly – at all, let alone at prime time on Father’s Day – NBC has tendered its good name and considerable influence to provide Mr. Jones with something he has never enjoyed: legitimacy.
“This decision may be driven by the simple urge to gain an edge in a well-publicized ratings war; but it has devastating human consequences as well.”
The letter was sent on behalf of Mark and Jacqueline Barden, who lost their 7-year-old son Daniel; Hannah D’Avino, the sister of Sandy Hook teacher Rachel D’Avino; and Nicole and Ian Hockley, whose son Dylan, 6, was killed.
They also speak for Erica Lafferty, who lost her mother Dawn, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary; Veronique Pozner, the mother of Noah, 6, who was killed; the family of Victoria Soto, a first grade teacher who died trying to shield her first-graders; and Francine and David Wheeler, who lost their son Benjamin, 6.