Adam Pieczyński, Editor-in-Chief of TVN24 and "Fakty", Director of TVN News Department, and one of the most distinguished journalists and media managers, has decided to end his professional career and devote time to his family. Starting December 21 his duties will be taken over by Michał Samul who has been Adam's associate since the launching of TVN24.
"After nearly 30 years of work in many capacities in the media, including 18 years at the helm of TVN24 and "Fakty", the time has come for me to hand over the reigns, get some rest and devote myself to my family. News section of TVN is a place that I've co-created and a place I love. I will miss it, just as my co-workers whom I respect and admire," Adam Pieczyński said.
"The decision to appoint Michał Samul to replace me was a natural choice. As my deputy he was involved in all crucial decisions, both editorial and commercial. I'm leaving the team in good hands," he added.
Under Adam Pieczyński's leadership, TVN news broadcasts became leaders on the Polish news market, reaching higher viewership share than many renowned news outlets on their markets, including BBC, Sky News, Fox News, CNN and ZDF.
Adam's crowning achievement came recently when he received the "Journalist of the Decade" award in this year's edition of Radio Zet's Andrzej Woyciechowski Awards.
"Adam has played a crucial role in creating contemporary, independent media in Poland, by creating one of the biggest news stations in the world. Under his leadership, TVN24 covered groundbreaking events of the contemporary history of Poland and the world. He is a man of incredible talent, an undisputed authority in his trade," said Kasia Kieli, EMEA President and Managing Director at Discovery.
"His professionalism, high ethical standards and strong conviction in the importance of absolute independence of the media has been providing the whole team with a sense of strenght and faith in the special mission that journalist work entails," said Piotr Korycki, President of the Management Board at TVN Discovery Poland. "I'd like to congratulate Michał and I'm delighted to know the editorial team will continue to be managed by a person with huge dedication, knowledge and experience," he added.
"These 19 years of work along Adam Pieczyński were a huge privilege, and I consider my new duties as a commitment to maintain the values and principles that Adam has followed in his work. I therefore consider the chance to lead the best journalistic teams in Poland as an honour, but also as a responsibility not only for the TVN news team, but first and foremost for the viewers, for whom we want to remain a source of independent information and an open debate. We certainly won't fall short of challenges, but the excellent results achieved in television, as well as success of our WWW services and social media, allow us to look forward with optimism about expanding our presence in all places where Poles seek reliable information. For instance, in smartphones, where the younger viewers focus their attention," said Michał Samul.
Adam Pieczyński has agreed to take on a new function and in the coming months will be an advisor to the TVN Management Board.
Career
Adam Pieczyński was responsible for all news channel brands and programs, including the sport news division.
He joined TVN in 2000 with the mission to launch the first 24-hour news channel in Poland. He became the network’s Editor-in-Chief, a role he still holds today, and the Vice-President of TVN24 PLC. In 2005 he was named the President of TVN24.
After the merger of TVN24 and TVN in July 2006, Adam became the Director of the News Department at TVN24 and the Member of the Management Board of TVN S.A. In 2012 he was once again named the Member of the Management Board of TVN S.A. overseeing news programming. Adam was also the Editor-in-Chief of "Fakty" TVN.
Before joining TVN, in the years 1996 - 2000 Adam Pieczyński was the Editor-in-Chief of the editorial board of information in RTL7. Previously he had worked in public media.
From 1994 to 1996 he was the Editor-in-Chief of "Wiadomości" on TVP1. In the years 1992-1994, he was the publisher and then the deputy Editor-in-Chief of the editorial office of the Polish Radio.
Between 1983 and 1994 he was a collaborator and then (under the name Piotr Adamski) correspondent of the Spanish daily El País.
He started his professional career in 1981 on Polish Radio, from where he was released immediately after the imposition of martial law in the same year.
Adam Pieczyński graduated from Warsaw University with a diploma in Iberian studies.
Autor: editorial team / Źródło: TVN24 News in English
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24