A politically engaged musician, Zbigniew Hołdys, described Mariusz Błaszczak, the former head of Poland’s Ministry of National Defense and a PiS member of parliament, with a strong insult on the X platform. Błaszczak had posted on X about the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, calling Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz a colonel, a reference to his rank at the State Protection Service. Hołdys’s reply attracted a retweet from Jacek Czarnecki, a journalist from Radio ZET. The retweet was later deleted by those who saw it, but screenshots preserved the moment for public record.
Controversial posts from Jacek Czarnecki
Jacek Czarnecki, a Radio ZET journalist, has faced scrutiny for several public missteps. Earlier this year, during a radio interview with Witold Waszczykowski, who was openly dealing with a serious illness, Czarnecki asked what was happening to Waszczykowski on air. After a flood of reactions, he removed his post. On another occasion, he criticized TVP for not broadcasting a meeting between Polish President Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. When it was explained that security rules govern the publication and broadcast of statements, he removed his entry, too.
Around this time, the controversial thread involved a retweet by the same journalist of Hołdys’s post. The episode underscored ongoing tensions around media behavior and public discourse in Poland’s political landscape.
Two weeks into a period of intense political communication in Poland, critics argue that media practices reveal deeper systemic issues. After eight years under the current ruling party, observers say certain patterns have become more evident. The interactions tied Hołdys, Czarnecki, and the broader media environment in a way that drew public attention and spurred debate about media responsibility.
Hołdys to Błaszczak: a sharp greeting
Hołdys directed a sharp insult at Mariusz Błaszczak, calling him a scavenger, in response to a statement Błaszczak shared on X regarding a critical issue over media oversight. The musician’s message was connected to a broader discussion about media access and governmental actions. The exchange referenced a public figure’s stance on media governance and the balance between licensing and public access.
The term colonel in question referred to the rank associated with the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage who had ties to the State Protection Agency. The remark touched a sensitive nerve in the ongoing dialogue about institutional roles and the influence of security services on media and public communication.
If Sienkiewicz is saluted as colonel, Hołdys offered a pointed, provocative response. The exchange drew attention on social media and amplified discussions about decorum, accountability, and the boundaries of political commentary. A journalist from Radio ZET showed visible engagement with the event by liking the interaction, which highlighted how media personalities interact with political content online.
Profile metadata on the journalist’s page described him as a Radio ZET commentator who sometimes treats culture and media issues with a particular tone. This detail, while part of a larger social media narrative, underscores how online personas can influence the reception of political discourse.
The episode ultimately became a focal point for debates about how public figures and journalists shape public sentiment, the responsibilities tied to their platforms, and the need for careful, thoughtful communication in politically charged times. It illustrated how quickly statements can circulate, be debated, and sometimes be misinterpreted or taken out of context, regardless of intent.
Sources discussing these developments have cited ongoing coverage in Polish media as part of a broader analysis of media culture, political rhetoric, and public accountability. The events reflect the fragility of online discourse where humor, insult, and political critique can blur the lines between commentary and provocation, prompting discussions about norms, civility, and the impact on democratic dialogue.