Kim Godwin, who only three years ago became the first Black woman to run a broadcast television news division, is out at ABC News.
The timing seems peculiar, given that Godwin just signed a contract extension in February. Even amid the good news of the extension, bad news was mixed in: ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, inserted a newly created layer between Godwin and top management, making her report to Debra OConnell, a news veteran who at the same time was named the president of Disney Entertainment’s News Group and Networks.
The effect of the move was to greatly reduce Godwin’s influence over the network’s news operations, even as she presented a brave face by telling staffers, “There is more work to be done. Now let’s get to it.”
Godwin, a 1984 graduate of Florida A&M, never seemed to be the flavor of the month at ABC and her three years there were marked by trouble. It was on her watch that the romantic scandal concerning T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach — each married to someone else — happened, and she didn’t decide to pull them off the air until their affair made the network look bad. Neither Holmes nor Robach returned to ABC, but internally ABC staffers grumbled, and the drumbeat for a change at the top had only intensified.
NABJ decries coverage of Godwin
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) issued a statement criticizing the press coverage of her tenure, implying that it was slanted against her because she is Black.
“Many of the latest articles surrounding her leadership fail to demonstrate basic journalism by providing alternative viewpoints,” NABJ’s statement read in part. “There seems to be an intentionality to cite anonymous sources as Godwin’s detractors, coupled with the use of derogatory or stereotypical terms to describe her.”
Even former president Donald Trump, who might seem to have several legal battles to be more concerned about, found time to add his two cents and used Godwin’s resignation as an opportunity to derogatorily refer to ABC news host George Stephanopoulos.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Happy to report that Kim Godwin, Head of ABC, has resigned. Could it be the unfair reporting on EVERYTHING TRUMP?”
He added, “In any event, GOOD RIDDANCE! Hopefully somebody else will be able to control George Slopadopolous and the rest of the Fake News Thugs over at ABC. Best wishes Kim!”
Sagging Nielsen ratings, especially among the essential age 25-to-54 demographic, didn’t help Godwin’s cause. “Good Morning America,” the most-watched morning program and one of ABC News’ chief money-makers, came in second to NBC’s “Today” in an April weekly rating. The only times that has happened in the last two years was when NBC was carrying the Olympics or when viewers tune in to see the lighting of the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree. CBS also made gains.
ABC News also has lost talent during Godwin’s tenure, most notably Cecilia Vega, who joined CBS News’ “60 Minutes” last year, and Jonathan Greenberger, the unit’s Washington bureau chief.
‘Not an easy or quick decision’
Godwin exited gracefully.
“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,” she wrote. “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. …
“I understood and appreciated the profound significance of being the first Black woman to lead a national broadcast news network when I accepted the role as president of ABC News a little over three years ago. It’s both a privilege and a debt to those who chipped away before me to lead a team whose brand is synonymous with trust, integrity and a dogged determination to be the best in the business.”
Prior to joining ABC News, Godwin served as executive vice president of CBS News, where she oversaw the network’s diversity efforts.
While OConnell serves as an interim replacement for Godwin, the NABJ said it wants input about Godwin’s successor, making clear that it “firmly” stands behind her.
“Because of Godwin’s demonstrated and long commitment to NABJ, its membership, and the journalism industry as a whole, NABJ will not be silent about what we believe is unfair treatment, nor will we stand idly by and watch the violation of basic journalism principles used to diminish such a historic moment for Black women in news leadership,” NABJ said. “We will be meeting with ABC News and Disney executives to talk about a path forward.”
