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Kim Godwin, the ABC News president, has stepped down from her position following a series of controversial decisions including the mishandled firing of weatherman Rob Marciano. She also faced backlash for allegedly badmouthing her superior, Debra OConnell, the newly appointed executive at Disney who oversees ABC News.
Godwin’s unexpected resignation brings an end to her tumultuous three-year tenure as president of ABC News, her position being notable for her being the first black individual to head a major network news division. However, her term had been marked by multiple public missteps, which led to Disney bringing in OConnell in February.
The criticisms against Godwin peaked following a report that indicated she was disparaging OConnell in conversation during a recent dinner in New York. Following this, Godwin received negative feedback from fellow black colleagues, adding to the complex factors contributing to her exit, which were described as a “confluence” of negative events.
Financial details about her three-year deal or the terms of her departure have not been publicly disclosed. ABC News has refrained from commenting on the matter and attempts to reach Godwin for her comments have been unsuccessful.
Prior to her exit, insiders aired concerns that Godwin may play the race card to safeguard herself from criticism surrounding her exit. However, some asserted that she was simply not effective at her job.
Despite her shaky leadership, the National Association of Black Journalists has come to the defense of Godwin, stating that attacks against her through media reports could be racially motivated. The release of this statement reportedly accelerated the timing of Godwin’s departure.
Her ill-judged commentary during staff meetings, claiming that “black people don’t watch the news,” and that George Floyd’s murder led to an “overcompensation for a lack of diversity in the leadership ranks” at news networks, further caused displeasure amongst peers and superiors.
Godwin’s departure is anticipated to instigate more restructuring within ABC News, and the worst is yet to come, according to some employees. The focus now remains on her former executive team, who have been likened to the hyenas from ‘The Lion King’ picking on the remains of Mufasa.
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