Debra OConnell, who added ABC News to her portfolio in February, will run the department in the interim. She made the announcement internally, with Godwin also addressing her staff.At the time of OConnell’s February promotion when ABC News was put under her purview, Disney countered speculation about Godwin’s future by revealing that she had extended her contract to continue as ABC News president. But she was now reporting to OConnell, adding an additional layer between her and Dana Walden, the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.The exit follows CNN reports last week about frustration among ABC News staffers about Godwin’s management style that had been reportedly articulated to OConnell in her review of the division and its leadership.Godwin joined ABC News in 2021. Although the network’s Good Morning America and World News Tonight still top in total viewers, CBS Mornings has been topping its ABC rival in the key adults 25-54 demo on multiple occasions.Godwin has presided over some tumult during her tenure. That has included the departure of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach last year from GMA3, amid a tabloid scandal over their off-screen romantic relationship, as well as a series of layoffs last year, when she realigned her leadership team. According to a source, that left some lingering resentments and a sense in the company that the layoffs were mishandled. The layoffs included the exit of high profile figures in the news division including Galen Gordon, senior VP of talent strategy and development; Chris Vlasto, senior executive producer and head of the investigative unit; and Wendy Fisher, senior vice president of newsgathering.More recently, other executives have exited. Jonathan Greenberger, Washington, D.C. bureau chief over the past decade, departed for a new position at Politico. Jennifer Ashton, who has been chief medical correspondent and co-host of GMA3, announced last month her plans to depart and focus on a new health and wellness newsletter she started.Last weekend, OConnell and Godwin were both present for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, appearing at events together during the weekend.Some staffers expressed surprise at Godwin’s departure, even though there has been speculation about her future for some time. Despite some of her missteps, one longtime staffer said that a lot of negative coverage was unwarranted and that she was well liked as a person. That said, the new leadership structure was viewed as not particularly tenable, the source said.What appeared to bring things to a head in recent days were new reports from CNN and Puck over OConnell’s scrutiny of Godwin’s tenure and newsroom unhappiness over her leadership.Godwin said in a note to staffers that she had decided to retire from broadcast journalism.“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.”She added, “I leave with my head held high and wish the entire team continued success.”OConnell wrote in a note to staffers that, as she will oversee ABC News for the time being, “I’m looking forward to working with the leadership team as we forge a new path forward together.”Although there had for some time been speculation about Godwin’s future at the network, over the weekend the National Association of Black Journalists released a statement expressing concern “over recent media reports that seem to be written with the intention of undermining the leadership of the first Black woman to take the helm of a global news organization.”“Many of the latest articles surrounding her leadership fail to demonstrate basic journalism by providing alternative viewpoints.“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. Meanwhile, these reports are totally ignoring sources and facts that speak to Godwin having significant support inside the organization.”Godwin joined ABC News from CBS News, where she had risen in the ranks through the years to become executive vice president of news for the network, with oversight of the national desks, foreign desks and bureaus.She succeeded James Goldston, who presided over the network at a time when World News Tonight expanded its audience lead. But he, too, had his share of turbulence, including the fallout from a top talent executive, Barbara Fedida, who was accused of making racially insensitive remarks.Godwin’s exit is the latest shakeup in network news division executive ranks. CBS News restructured its leadership team last August, with Neeraj Khemlani stepping down as president and co-head of CBS News and stations and Wendy McMahon taking on the title solo. Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews was named president of the network. Earlier in the year, Noah Oppenheim departed NBC News, with Rebecca Blumenstein joining as president of editorial for NBC News, a new role, and another executive, Libby Leist, overseeing Today and Janelle Rodriguez overseeing NBC Nightly News, NBC News Now and special report programming. Among major news networks, CNN saw the exit of Chris Licht after just over a year as CEO, with Mark Thompson filling the job.
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