Former KPBS news director Terence Shepherd, who was fired from the company in February, is suing the public media organization alleging he was wrongfully removed.

Shepherd had worked in the role for over four years before his termination from the local arm of the Public Broadcasting Service.

Shepherd said that he was fired after disclosing information about a KPBS reporter potentially violating Federal Communications Commission regulations, according to the lawsuit.

During live coverage of a protest, reporter Alexander Nguyen recorded a stand up that featured a sign reading “F—- ICE,” in the background, according to the lawsuit. The recording of the September 2025 broadcast censors the sign. Ngyuen declined to comment.

The FCC website states that “federal law prohibits obscene, indecent and profane content from being broadcast on the radio or TV.”

They specifically define profane language as “grossly offensive language that is considered a public nuisance. However, the definition of profane language is a legal grey area and, the FCC determines indecency on a case-by-case basis.

The consequences for broadcasting profane content includes: a warning, a fine or a revocation of a station’s license.

According to the lawsuit, Shepherd decided that the incident could implicate an FCC violation. He alerted his supervisor, Nancy Worlie, and called for Ngyuen to be fired. His concern was dismissed, the lawsuit alleges.

Worlie declined to comment on Shepherd’s firing, but said that the editorial vision of KPBS has not changed since Shepherd’s departure. Heather Milne, a KPBS spokesperson, declined to comment directly on the firing as well, citing pending litigation.

Shepherd’s lawsuit claims that his termination was a direct result of his complaint against Nguyen. He said that his removal directly violates the California Labor Code, which states that an employer can’t retaliate against an employee for disclosing information about another employee’s noncompliance with local, state or federal rules and regulations.

Shepherd is seeking financial compensation in an amount that would “punish and set an example of” the defendants, according to his complaint.

Vinnee Tong has been the acting news director since Shepherd’s firing. Tong, also the managing editor at KPBS, didn’t respond to requests for comment at time of publication.

This case has not gone to trial. The Daily Aztec will continue to monitor the case as it progresses.