Warsaw – Embattled Polish public radio broadcaster Trojka is getting a new chief executive after the incumbent resigned in the wake of a music chart censorship scandal, local media reported on Monday.
Jakub Strzyczkowski, a Trojka journalist since 1990, will replace Tomasz Kowalczewski, who tendered his resignation, Polish press agency PAP reported.
Accusations of censorship erupted after a song critical of governing party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski was knocked from the top spot in the station’s weekly music charts.
The song, written by rock artist Kazik, alludes to Kaczynski visiting the graves of his mother and victims of the 2010 Smolensk plane crash even though the cemetery was closed to regular citizens due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The outgoing Trojka boss said the song only secured the top spot after journalists manipulated the voting process. He denied any accusations of censorship.
An exodus of talent from Trojka followed the allegation, while a number of top-tier musicians asked the station not to use their songs.
The move also did not find support among governing party officials.
According to Press magazine’s website, the station is now filling air time with playlists as it does not enough presenters to host daily broadcasts. The renowned weekly music chart has been suspended.
(dpa/NAN)
