Joseph L. & Marion B. Brechner

This fund honors prominent media figure Joseph L. Brechner. Joseph Brechner was founder and owner of WFTV-Channel 9 in Orlando. His wife, Marion Brechner, was president of Brechner Management Company, which owns television and radio stations in Maryland and Kansas.

Longtime advocates of freedom of information, the Brechners provided funds to support University of Florida’s Florida Freedom of Information Clearinghouse. In 1986, the Clearinghouse was renamed the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information to honor his contributions. The Brechner Center is recognized nationally for its leadership in advocating and providing information about access to government meetings and records. Joseph passed away in 1990 and Marion passed away in 2011.