Poland's National Media Council on Monday dismissed Jacek Kurski as head of Polish public television TVP and replaced him with Mateusz Matyszkowicz. "I confirm that due to a decision of my political environment, in agreement with me, I have ceased to TVP Chairman," Kurski said on Twitter.
The news regarding the change of TVP chairman was confirmed on Monday by the chairman of the National Media Council Krzysztof Czabański. "I'm certain that chairman Mateusz Matyszkowicz will improve the substantial offer of TVP," he told Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Kurski confirmed his departure on Twitter. "I confirm that due to a decision of my political environment, in agreement with me, I have ceased to TVP Chairman. I know further challenges lie ahead of me. The television, I dedicated my last 7 years to, is at its prime, wonderful like never before. With all my heart I thank the Viewers and TVP people," he wrote.
Spokesperson of the ruling PiS party Radosław Fogiel said that the replacement of Kurski did not mean he was negatively assessed as TVP chairman. "Soon, new challenges ahead of Jacek Kurski," Fogiel wrote on Twitter.
Kurski became chairman of TVP for the first time on January, 2016. In August that year, he was dismissed by the National Media Council, which revoked its decision only a few hours later.
On October 12, 2016, Kurski was appointed TVP chairman again and performed his duties until March, 2020, when he was dismissed once more by the National Media Council. He was appointed advisor to the TVP board. In May, 2020, he returned to the board of directors, and on June 24, 2020, he became acting chairman. On August 7, the National Media Council once again appointed Kurski as TVP chairman.
Kurski's successor, Mateusz Matyszkowicz has been a TVP board member since April, 2019. According to TVP website, he has worked in TVP since February, 2016. He worked as chief of TVP Kultura and TVP1 channels as well as deputy chief of Programme Office responsible for the repertoire.
Asked about Kurski's dismissal, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki assured it had been an autonomous decision by the National Media Council and any questions regarding that matter should be directed to this body.
"As usual, if there are any changes, then all of you will be informed about them in due time," Morawiecki said when asked about potential government job for Kurski.
Asked about changes in TVP, Civic Coalition MP Borys Budka said that what Poland needed was "a normal public television".
In his opinion, "Kurski's dismissal won't change anything". "We all know perfectly after Dworczyk's emails (scandal with leaked emails from PM's office chief Michał Dworczyk's account - edit.) how the servile propagadists hired by the government television are fulfilling orders of politicians," Budka said.
"We must rebuild public media from the scratch, and they must not be controlled by politicians," he added.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP