“Explosive Weekend”
RTL separates from moderator Maurice Gajda: “Violations of journalistic due diligence”
Headquarters of RTL on the banks of the Rhine in Cologne
© Thomas Banneyer / DPA
The Cologne television station RTL draws consequences from “serious misconduct” by moderator Maurice Gajda.
Because of violations of the journalistic duty of care, the television broadcaster RTL is parting ways with its longtime presenter and reporter Maurice Gajda with immediate effect.
The 40-year-old journalist had used an alleged tweet by the former AfD boss Frauke Petry in an article in the tabloid magazine “Explosiv Weekend”, in which she had made disparaging remarks about a Vietnamese singer. Petry never wrote this tweet. “The internal reviews of his contribution to ‘Explosiv Weekend’ from August 5, 2023 have been difficult Misconduct by Maurice Gajda in the creation of the article, which is incompatible with the journalistic principles and guidelines of our company,” said the Cologne broadcaster on Friday morning in the post mock tweet ever existed.”
RTL apologizes to Frauke Petry
RTL News co-managing director Martin Gradl said of the incident: “We apologize to Dr. Petry. We met Maurice Gajda as a committed and passionate reporter. In this case, however, there are numerous blatant violations of journalistic due diligence. You damage the important and responsible work of our approximately 1,300 journalists. With its news and magazines, RTL News stands for journalistic credibility, truthfulness and diligence every day.”
Gajda has worked for various RTL information formats since 2019.
Transparency note: The star is part of RTL Germany.
Source: RTL