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TV Network, County In Tune

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MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: January 7, 2009

TAMPA - A public access television network that had its funding cut by the county commission can continue to broadcast for at least four more years, according to a tentative settlement of the network's lawsuit against Hillsborough County.

In return, the network, owned by the nonprofit group Speak Up Tampa Bay, has agreed to drop its demand that the county restore $355,000 in annual funding. Instead, the network will be allowed to charge a fee to residents of the county's unincorporated areas who want to produce programming using the channel's studios.

Louise Thompson, executive director of Tampa Bay Community Network, said she still hopes county commissioners will restore the funding in the name of free speech. The city of Tampa provides $540,000 a year for city residents to produce programming free of charge.

"The best scenario would be if the county again used the money we, as cable subscribers, pay in community taxes to fund unincorporated residents so they can go onto the air at no cost," Thompson said. "Now, we are going to be forced to charge them."

The network will also benefit from the settlement by purchasing a production vehicle from the county for $10,000, spread out in $2,500 annual payments over four years. The county had valued the large, RV-type vehicle at $55,000. The van was purchased with tax money from cable television, said Speak Up Tampa Bay attorney David Snyder.

The county discontinued the network's funding in 2007 as part of an overall budget reduction package. Speak Up Tampa Bay responded with a lawsuit accusing the county of muzzling free speech.

After the lawsuit was filed, county officials said a favorable court ruling for public access could result in a spate of lawsuits from agencies that have had their budgets cut.

U.S. District Judge James Moody in October ordered attorneys for Speak Up Tampa Bay and the county to appear before a mediator by Jan. 15. Tuesday, mediator Peter J. Grilli notified the court the suit has been tentatively settled, pending approval of network's board of directors and the Hillsborough County Commission.

The county and the public access channel have crossed swords before. On several occasions in years past, commissioners complained that some of the network's quirky programming was obscene. Thompson, on the other hand, argues public access is an important counterweight to corporate-owned media and the county's television station, HTV, which broadcasts commission meetings.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303

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