Скачать или смотреть Pensacola PBS Funding Battle Heats Up After Lawsuit from WSRE-TV Foundation

The WSRE-TV Foundation filed a federal lawsuit last week seeking to block Pensacola State College from taking control of millions of dollars donated by residents of Northwest Florida and South Alabama to support WSRE’s public television programming.

The Foundation says the lawsuit is the first of its kind in the nation and aims to protect private charitable donations from being absorbed by a government entity.

For nearly 60 years, WSRE has served as a trusted public media outlet across the Gulf Coast, providing children’s educational programming, classroom resources, military-focused content, local documentaries, and life-saving information during hurricanes and emergencies.

That work, Foundation leaders say, has been made possible largely through private donations raised by the WSRE-TV Foundation—not through state or college funding.

Foundation Alleges PSC Sought Control of Private Donations
According to the federal complaint, Pensacola State College moved to sever its relationship with the Foundation and demanded control of donor-raised funds intended solely for WSRE’s public media mission.

The lawsuit alleges PSC’s president attempted to force the dissolution of the independent nonprofit and require that private donations be transferred to the college.

“People donated because they believe in WSRE’s educational and community mission,” said Amy Day, chair of the WSRE-TV Foundation board. “They did not give so their gifts could be taken and placed into a government budget.”

The Foundation says PSC also attempted to access its bank accounts and intercept donation checks mailed by members of the public.

Lawsuit Focuses on Donor Intent
Foundation officials emphasize the case centers on donor intent—a core principle of charitable giving.

Individuals, families, veterans, and businesses across Northwest Florida and South Alabama contributed funds with the understanding that their donations would support public television programming, not general college operations.Subscribe to our channel:    / @newsouthpolitics  
Visit my site New South Politics at: https://newsouthpolitics.com/
Follow me on Facebook at   / newsouthpolitics  
Matt O’Hern created NewSouthPolitics.com to inform and update voters in southern states on both sides of the aisle about the latest news and developments surrounding the top political issues involving federal, state and local leaders throughout the southeastern United States. Population booms and demographic shifts have made the southeast the most competitive region in the nation.