The rector of the University of Silesia, Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, condemned the scandalous words of Dr. Hab. Marek Migalski, who, after the tragic death of F-16 pilot Maj. Maciej Krakowian, called him on social media “an air pirate” and “a loser.” The head of the university emphasized that such statements violate academic ethics and the dignity of the deceased, and the matter is to be addressed by the Ombudsman for Academic Rights and Values.
Scandalous post by Migalski about the deceased pilot
“I strongly condemn the content and manner of judgment formulated by Dr. Hab. Marek Migalski, Prof. UŚ, with regard to the tragic death of F-16 pilot Maj. Maciej Krakowian. The terms used are harmful, they disregard the drama of death and the loss of a person close to many, and above all they contradict the attitude expected from a scholar and academic teacher.”
On a social media platform, Migalski posted a comment referring to the accident before AirSHOW in Radom, calling the pilot who died “an air pirate,” “a criminal,” and “a loser.”
These words sparked a wave of outrage in the media and among public opinion. Rector Koziołek addressed the matter. He reminded that freedom of speech at the university is not unlimited and should be exercised with respect for facts and the dignity of others.
“The fact that the statement was published on a private social media account does not release its author from responsibility for observing the above-mentioned principles. Social media have blurred the boundary between what is private and public; personal and professional. By using social media, we become ‘public figures,’ which means we influence social life and are recognizable in the public sphere, even if we do not perform public functions or actions.”
Koziołek stressed that in his opinion there had been “a violation of ethics and truthfulness of statements” that should be expected from a scholar and teacher of young people. He also added that on September 3 he requested that the Ombudsman for Academic Rights and Values, Prof. Jacek Górecki, take a position on the matter.
Migalski’s response
Migalski responded again to the rector’s statement.
“The firm and, oh so justified, condemnation of my words by the rector of my university… reheated them anew. Now everyone in Poland knows at which university I work. A classic ‘Streisand effect.’ Good material for discussion in class with students,” reads his online post.
On August 28, after 7 p.m., during training before AirSHOW in Radom, an F-16 aircraft crashed. The pilot, Maj. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, did not survive. The causes of the accident, in which Maj. Krakowian died, are being investigated by the State Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (KBWL LP), in cooperation with the prosecutor’s office and the Military Gendarmerie.