NEW YORK — Kim Godwin stepped down after three tumultuous years as president of ABC News, a move presaged earlier this year when the network’s parent Walt Disney Co. named one of its executives, Debra O’Connell, to oversee the news division. News.
Godwin, the first Black woman to lead a network’s news division, said Sunday that she was retiring from the business. O’Connell said she will be in charge “for now” moving forward.
Godwin inherited a news division where his two most prominent programs, “World News Tonight” and “Good Morning America,” led rivals CBS and NBC in the ratings. They’re still ahead, although “Good Morning America” has suffered some missteps amid the messy departures of anchors TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, and Cecilia Vega’s jump to CBS News.
Godwin was recruited as an outsider at CBS News and was beset by complaints about her management style that were publicized.
In a note to staff members, Godwin said she understood and appreciated the significance of being the first black woman to hold such a prominent role in news.
“It is a privilege and a debt to those who broke the ceiling before me to lead a team whose brand is synonymous with trust, integrity and a dogged determination to be the best in the business,” she wrote.
After working at ABC, CBS, NBC and 10 local news stations in nine cities, Godwin said he is leaving the business.
“I leave with my head held high and wish the entire team continued success,” she wrote.
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David Bauder writes about media for the Associated Press. Follow him on
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