BUCHAREST -- Romania's unpopular TV chief Paul Everac will be removedfrom his post after months of pressure from opposition groups who critisized his ultra-nationalist views, the independent news agency Mediafax reported Wednesday.
The dismissal comes after a week of speculation that Everac, a former communist playwright, was to be replaced as head of state-run television.
Everac will be replaced by Ioan Rosca, a little-known political commentator at the pro-government daily Curierul National.
Everac, appointed eight months ago, angered liberal groups with his extreme views, once suggesting in an essay that all Gypsy women should be sterilized.
His weekly slots on prime time Saturday evening television, which lectured Romanians on national history and morals, were widely seen as patronizing and dull.
'They send me to sleep. I'd prefer to watch a cartoon,' said 21- year-old fashion model Alin Chilvase, echoing a view held by many Romanians.
State television employees warned that newly appointed Rosca would be little better than Everac.
'They are replacing one devil with another devil. When will they learn that we need someone who is professional?' said a department head who asked to remain anonymous.