U.S. Department of Justice Suspends Warrantless Airport Search Program After InvestigateTV Reporting
Rhea-AI Summary
Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) announced that following an investigation by its InvestigateTV and Atlanta News First Investigates, the U.S. Department of Justice has suspended a nationwide airport search program that seized cash from airline passengers without arrests. The suspension came after the 'In Plane Sight' investigation, which aired in September 2023 with follow-ups through December 2024.
The investigation led to concrete results when the DOJ ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration to stop searching innocent passengers at departure gates. InvestigateTV's daily program is cleared in 46% of the U.S., while its weekend edition reaches 67% of U.S. markets. The investigation also prompted action from Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, who questioned the DOJ about DEA practices at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Gray Media operates as the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations, serving 113 television markets reaching approximately 36% of US television households. The company holds the top-rated station in 77 markets and first/second-highest rated stations in 100 markets.
Positive
- Investigation led to concrete regulatory change with DOJ suspending controversial DEA program
- Strong market presence with InvestigateTV+ reaching 46% of U.S. daily and 67% on weekends
- Dominant market position as largest owner of top-rated local TV stations reaching 36% of US households
- Leadership in 77 markets with top-rated stations and 100 markets with top-2 rated stations
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – GTN
On the day this news was published, GTN declined 4.24%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
ATLANTA, Jan. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Media (NYSE: GTN) today announced that following an investigation by Gray’s InvestigateTV and Atlanta News First Investigates, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ended a nationwide search program that seized untold millions in cash from airline passengers without arrests.
This unprecedented action by the DOJ is the result of the award-winning investigation, In Plane Sight which originally aired in September 2023 and led to multiple follow up reports through December 2024. The DOJ ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration to stop searching innocent passengers at departure gates as a direct result of a video recorded by a traveler who saw the investigation and followed the legal advice reported in the series.
InvestigateTV is Gray’s national investigative team that produces original reporting for InvestigateTV+, a 30-minute daily program cleared in
“Our mission at InvestigateTV is to uncover not only real problems, but real solutions,” said Gray’s Senior Vice President of News Strategy and Innovation Lee Zurik. “This is a prime example of how we collaborate with investigative teams at Gray stations across the country to uncover issues that affect every viewer and create significant change.”
In Plane Sight originated with Atlanta News First Investigates, the investigative unit at Gray affiliate WANF. The undercover investigation evolved into a multi-part series that tracked the activity of plainclothes agents at airports across the U.S. Now that activity is suspended nationwide.
“Results like these are why investigative journalism is a critical part of our culture,” said InvestigateTV and Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe. “Gray invests in and empowers our teams to produce original, impactful content with real world results.”
The investigation also spurred action from Congress. Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, asking why the Drug Enforcement Administration was searching innocent passengers at boarding gates at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He credited In Plane Sight with uncovering an important issue for flyers.
“I'm not sure that this change, this investigation, and this halt to potentially very problematic DEA practices would have occurred without your reporting. You have been on this story, helping to expose what appear to be potentially serious civil rights violations,” said Senator Ossof.
About Gray Media:
Gray Media, or Gray, is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, formerly known as Gray Television, Inc. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 77 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 43 markets totaling nearly 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray’s additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
Gray Contact:
Sandy Breland, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, 404-266-8333
FAQ
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