Tijuanna Adetunji has resigned from the Alabama Educational Television Commission (AETC), a move that leaves just one commissioner from the seven who served on the board last month. Her departure contributes to what Alabama Public Television (APT) Executive Director Wayne Reid described as a "complete turnover" of the commission over the past twelve months. Adetunji's resignation means Logan Glass is now the sole remaining member on the board who has not been dismissed or removed in the last month.
Gina Maiola, communications director for Gov. Kay Ivey, confirmed Adetunji’s resignation on Thursday afternoon but did not provide a reason for her departure. A request for further comment was left with Maiola. Wayne Reid, APT Executive Director, stated early Thursday evening that Adetunji submitted her resignation letter "last Thursday without explanation."
Gov. Ivey has not yet made a new appointment to the commission, according to the Alabama Public Television website. Reid indicated that APT is "hoping to hear something very soon" from the Governor regarding the appointment. Reid expressed confidence that the Governor’s replacement appointment will bring another strong representative to the commission and stated that APT will make an announcement once the appointment has been made. He added that he looks forward to working with the new commission and building on the future of Alabama Public Television.
Adetunji served as the AETC’s representative for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. Her resignation comes after Gov. Ivey removed five members from the commission earlier this month. The changes on the commission follow nearly a year of "sometimes heated arguments" among commissioners, primarily concerning the maintenance of affiliation with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Discussions about disaffiliating from PBS began last October, when then-commissioners Ferris Stephens and Les Barnett introduced the idea. This proposal led to "public backlash from donors," according to the source material. In November, the commission voted to maintain PBS programming. Adetunji was not present for that November vote.
Further highlighting the internal debate, in September, the Alabama Educational Television Foundation Authority voted to fund a survey. This survey, conducted by Cygnal—a polling firm known for primarily working with Republican candidates—aimed to assess Alabamians' attitudes toward PBS. Adetunji notably voted against conducting this survey.
The results of the Cygnal survey indicated significant public support for PBS affiliation and for keeping political influence out of programming decisions. The survey showed that 54% of viewers supported APT continuing its PBS affiliation, and 62% of respondents stated they wanted public officials to stay out of programming decisions.
Prior to her service on the AETC, Adetunji ran for several political offices. She campaigned for the Alabama House of Representatives as a Republican in 2014 and later as an independent candidate in 2018. Adetunji also sought a seat on the Montgomery City Council in 2015. She was not successful in any of these campaigns.
