Kim Godwin, the president of ABC News, made a sudden announcement on Sunday evening that she would be departing from the network, marking the end of a turbulent three-year tenure. Her decision follows a period of declining morale among staff, who cited her leadership style as a major factor.
In a memo to employees that reverberated throughout the ABC News newsroom, Godwin expressed her intention to retire from broadcast journalism. She reflected on her extensive experience in the industry and emphasized that this decision was made after careful consideration of her priorities for the future and her family.
Godwin's exit came amid reports from CNN earlier in the week that Debra O'Connell, a Disney veteran overseeing ABC News as part of her portfolio, was reviewing Godwin's performance and expressing dissatisfaction with the state of affairs at the network in private conversations.
Morale at ABC News has taken a hit under Godwin's leadership, with employees voicing frustrations over her management approach, lack of strategic vision, restructuring of key divisions, and the formation of an inner circle that alienated many. Additionally, while flagship program "Good Morning America" remains successful in ratings, it has experienced a decline in viewership in recent months, prompting concerns among staff.
Some of Godwin's supporters argued that her leadership style differed from previous leaders at the network but conceded that she may not have been the best fit for the role.
In the interim, O'Connell will oversee the network, expressing gratitude to the staff for their patience during the transition and outlining her commitment to working with the leadership team to chart a new path forward.
Complaints about Godwin had been conveyed to O'Connell over the past few months, leading to discussions about potential candidates to replace Godwin. Despite being appointed as the first Black woman to lead a broadcast television news division with the aim of improving its culture, Godwin's tenure ultimately exacerbated existing issues within the newsroom.
The timing of Godwin's departure remains unclear, as she was leading editorial meetings at the network as recently as Friday. Disney had renewed Godwin's contract in February, but the appointment of O'Connell to oversee her portfolio signaled doubts about her leadership from CEO Bob Iger. Godwin had expressed dissatisfaction with being distanced from Iger and criticized Disney's micromanagement.
In her farewell message to staff, Godwin expressed pride in her tenure and wished the team continued success.
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