Public access channel denied immediate funding relief

TAMPA - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody today denied an emergency motion by Speak Up Tampa Bay to force the county to continue paying for the public access cable channel while it fights for funding to be permanently restored.

The station has sued the county, claiming its recent decision to cut funding was an attempt by commissioners to censor programming content.

Speak Up Tampa Bay successfully won a similar argument five years ago. But Moody, who ruled in favor of the station in that case, said censorship evidence wasn't as strong this time around.

"I don't sense that same level of proof in this case before me now," the judge said.

Speak Up Tampa Bay is considering whether to appeal the judge's decision.

-- Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer