Ivey Shakes Up Alabama Public Television Commission Amid PBS Battle

The University of Alabama's Vice President for the Division of Community Affairs Dr. Samory Pruitt is one of five new members appointed by Gov. Ivey to the Alabama Public Television Commission.

Pruitt is retiring from the VP role this year and will replace William Green in the 7th Congressional District seat. Ivey has also selected Sally Smith to fill the seat previously held by Ferris Stephens in the 6th Congressional District seat, and former Alabama and NFL football player Wallace Gilberry has been named to the 1st Congressional District seat.

Dr. Pruitt, at the time of his retirement, will have served the University for 40 years and led the Division of Community Affairs since its creation in 2004.

Dismissed and Departing

Dismissed from the commission Friday were Green, Pete Conroy, Bebe Williams, Stephens and Les Barnett.

Two members of the commission are being retained: Tijuanna Adetunji in the 2nd Congressional District seat and Logan Z. Glass in the 4th Congressional District seat. Currently, Adetunji and Glass are the only commissioners listed on the board of directors website.

In an email to various media, Ivey's communications director wrote, "Governor Ivey believed it was time for the Alabama Educational Television Commission to have a fresh start."

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A PBS Problem

The previous commission had been conducting a protracted fight over Alabama Public Television's affiliation with the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) amid claims by conservatives that PBS is too liberal.

However, a survey conducted by the commission and released last week shows 54% of Alabamians want to retain the network affiliation and only 18% want the network to cut ties. Sixty-two percent of those polled also said they want less political involvement in the programming and administration of APT.

While not directly related to President Trump's opposition to public broadcasting, the battle between board members was undoubtedly influenced by his view that PBS spreads "left-wing propaganda." There were also other board disagreements stemming from internal conflicts.

Read mire in our previous Story about the APT Public Survey

For more coverage of news from Montgomery that impacts West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.