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.
“Private generosity built WSRE,” Day said. “Those donors deserve to have their trust honored.”
The complaint also notes that when the Foundation proposed transitioning WSRE into an independent public media entity capable of continuing PBS programming and fundraising, PSC leadership rejected the proposal.
WSRE’s Longstanding Role in the Region
WSRE serves more than 1.2 million viewers and has played a central role in the region for decades, including:
- Children’s education and early learning programs
- Free classroom tools aligned with school curricula
- Programming honoring military families
- Local documentaries preserving Gulf Coast history
- Hurricane preparedness and emergency coverage
“Whether it’s the first day of school or the days before a hurricane, WSRE has been there,” Day said.
PSC Ends PBS Affiliation
Earlier this year, Pensacola State College voted to end WSRE’s affiliation with PBS.
While the Foundation acknowledges PSC’s authority to make institutional programming decisions, it argues that the move does not give the college the right to repurpose privately donated funds.
“PSC made its decision,” Day said. “But donors made theirs too.”
What’s Next for WSRE
The WSRE-TV Foundation says it is exploring options to continue PBS programming, local storytelling, and community services independent of PSC.
“Our goal is simple,” Day said. “Keep public media in the hands of the community that built it—and protect the trust of our donors.”