Posted on 05/06/2024 9:06:15 AM PDT by Red Badger
ABC News President Kim Godwin stepped down Sunday night following an investigation into her management of her network.
The overseer of the network, Debra O’Connell, opened a corporate investigation into Godwin and other senior executives over the growing frustration among staffers, vacant top positions and the drop in ratings at its prominent program, “Good Morning America.” Several people alleged Godwin dedicated more time to her profile than creating success in the news division, and that her mismanagement “shocked” O’Connell, WSJ reported.
“I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism,” Godwin said in an email to staff Sunday night, according to WSJ. “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.”
Her note added ABC News continues to be “No. 1” and that she is leaving “with [her] head held high and wish the entire team continued success,” according to WSJ.
Staffers have reportedly been appalled by Godwin’s leadership style and the several vacant seats of key positions, CNN reported Friday. Prominent people, including its former head of talent Galen Gordon and its previous Washington bureau chief Jonathan Greenberger, left ABC News under her leadership.
Several executives were laid off in March 2023, reportedly causing “shock” throughout the newsroom. Godwin told her staff the downsizing was a “difficult time” for the entire network, but vowed they were on a “solid footing.”
Godwin rose to the position in January 2021 after the departure of James Goldston, becoming the first black president in the network’s history with the backing of The National Association of Black Journalists. She touted her background as being a single mother and being raised as such when she introduced herself to her new staff at the time, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
O’Connell became the president of parent company Disney’s news division following a restructuring of the network in February, according to WSJ. Her power to oversee the network appeared to be a demotion for Godwin, who replaced her in leading editorial meetings and becoming increasingly hands on in the newsroom.
She thanked Godwin for using her “respect for the brand and division” while having “navigated this team through consequential times in our world,” according to WSJ.
Her defenders alleged Godwin is treated with more scrutiny than other executives due to her race, according to WSJ. ABC News’ Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl said Godwin is a “crazy workaholic” and the allegations against her “certainly does not reflect the reality of who she is.”
Our society is not a meritocracy any more. The people at the top don’t know what they’re doing. But they check the right boxes, or they network well, or they bully the right people. They rise up for all the wrong reasons and our society sinks into the muck.
They hired her, then are shocked she can’t do the job. The bozos who make these hires never get called on the carpet
The headline itself is LOL!!!
These Ivy League educated ‘higher-ups’, are shocked because they were educated to believe that we are all equal.
They believe that if you put someone in a position, regardless of race, sex, or whatever the measure du jour is, they will function in that position perfectly.
Until reality slaps them upside the head, as in this case, they will not change their opinions.
They will look for another DEI candidate to replace her, knowing Disney, probably a gay or lesbian.
BET THE RENT MONEY ON IT....................
Jonathan Karl either has a pair that weigh 15 pounds, or he’s a drooling idiot for laying down the race card. Either way, management can’t be too excited about it. “Corporate investigation” of a black woman in a leftist institution seems pretty dramatic and I don’t think they’d do it unless the problems were extreme
DEI
didnt earn it
And Atlas then shrugged
Think, Fani Willis, Kim Gardener, Letitia James, and Stacy Abrams all rolled into one......................
“She touted her background as being a single mother.”
Huh?
“Her defenders alleged Godwin is treated with more scrutiny than other executives due to her race”
They just can’t stop can they.
Well, you might be a “crazy workaholic,” but if you’re working stupid, who cares? Didn’t Earn It.
Will major corporations finally get the point and realize that affirmative action hires will generally fail?
No.
They are afraid that big government will retaliate against them. The IRS and the DOJ are powerful and can destroy a company in an instant.
Other reports say Godwin said ABC News “overreacted to calls for diversity,” (translated as ‘too many blacks on the air.’), to which I agree.
She also said “blacks don’t watch.”
Methinks its a race war ongoing at ABC News.
Get your popcorn ready.
Of course, network news is about to go the way of the Dodo Bird, anyway.
“They rise up for all the wrong reasons...” They fall up... I’ve seen it several times over the past five years. Folks who normally wouldn’t see a promotion are being promoted based not on merit and the ability to do the job, but because they do, indeed, check required boxes. I think this kind of stuff is coming to an end though. Folks are waking up and taking a stance now.
When you hire a Pygmy cannibal don’t expect it to become a vegetarian. You can take the cannibal out of the jungle but never take the jungle out of the cannibal. /spit
Shocked?
I don’t even know her, and I’m not shocked in the least. I’d say more like expected sooner, rather than shocked.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.