HARD CHOICES
ABC News President Kim Godwin abruptly leaves network after ‘clashing with Disney boss Debra O’Connell’
A successor has yet to be named
ABC News President Kim Godwin has announced that she is leaving journalism after a major restructuring last year left her reporting to Disney Networks President Debra OConnell.
Godwin made the announcement in an email to ABC staff on Sunday night.
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“I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism,” Godwin wrote, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Anyone who’s passionate about what we do knows there’s no other business like it, so this was not an easy or quick decision."
"But after considerable reflection, I’m certain it’s the right one for me as I look to the future and prioritize what’s most important for me and my family," she added.
ABC has faced a number of changes since restructuring by its parent company, Disney, started in February and reallocated many managerial duties to Disney President Debra OConnell.
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A successor has yet to be named for Godwin, but OConnell said that “for the time being,” she would oversee the network in a memo after Godwin's announcement.
OConnell said she is “looking forward to working with the leadership team as we forge a new path forward together."
“Since assuming this role in February, my goal has been — and will continue to be — to provide this team with the means necessary to build on our success and carry on the proud tradition of ABC News into a future full of opportunity and innovation,” she added.
EXCITING BEGINNINGS
Godwin assumed the role of president of the division in 2021 after over a decade at CBS.
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She was the first Black person to run a major broadcast network news division when she took up the role.
ABC's news division was struggling at the time, however, and Godwin was tasked with helping improve the work culture and editorial process.
After considerable reflection, I’m certain it’s the right [move] for me as I look to the future and prioritize what’s most important for me and my family.
Kim Godwin
She was a hands-on member of the news team, colleagues said, and was not afraid to push new initiatives.
Her efforts helped create a friendly work environment that was a big improvement from past work culture, her supporters said.
Godwin also helped the network's best-known show — Good Morning America — remain at its top spot in the rankings.
“ABC News was No. 1 when I joined the team and I’m proud to say we’re still No. 1,” she said in her farewell note.
TUMULTUOUS TIMES
But some ABC staff have characterized Godwin's time at ABC as tumultuous and said that she was undergoing a performance review by OConnell last week, according to CNN.
Complaints included staffers having problems with Godwin's lack of strategic vision, elimination of the talent-relations division, and favoritism in the newsroom.
Some colleagues were also reportedly unhappy that she replaced experienced producers with less experienced workers, according to the WSJ.
Other critics said they thought she cared more about boosting her own profile than strengthening the network.
For her defenders, many of the critiques of Godwin could be traced back to the added scrutiny she was under as the first Black person in her position.
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The criticism “certainly does not reflect the reality of who she is," ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl told the WSJ earlier this year.
Godwin and OConnell did not immediately respond to requests for comment by The U.S. Sun.