Embattled ABC News president Kim Godwin is reportedly facing intense scrutiny from Disney’s corporate overlords, who are demanding the chief executive overhaul her management responsibilities. He has ordered a review.
Debra O’Connell, who was promoted to a leadership role putting ABC News under her control in February, accused Godwin of mismanagement of money-making divisions that include “Good Morning America” and “World News Tonight.” He is said to be surprised. CNN reported.
“She has to act quickly,” a source familiar with ABC News told CNN.
“The people there are restless. They are very dissatisfied.”
Ms. O’Connell, who as president of Disney’s News Group and Networks reports to Mouse House co-chairman Dana Walden, was unhappy with what she perceived as Mr. Godwin’s hands-off leadership style. It is reported that
One of the issues plaguing Mr. O’Connell is that Mr. Godwin will not be able to fill the role left by former talent director Galen Gordon a year after his departure, people familiar with the matter told CNN.
Mr. O’Connell, who spent nearly 30 years climbing the corporate ladder at Disney, said Mr. Godwin did not retain key editorial stars such as former ABC News Washington bureau chief Jonathan Greenberger, who left for Politico months before the presidential election. It is said that he is also angry about this. election.
Under Mr. Godwin’s watch, ABC’s flagship morning news show “Good Morning America” has lost some of its ratings lead as “CBS Morning” narrows the gap, CNN reports. This is another source of confusion for O’Connell and Disney executives.
The Post has reached out to ABC News and Disney for comment.
Reports of Mr. O’Connell’s dissatisfaction with Mr. Godwin’s lack of leadership come after longtime ABC News weather forecaster Rob Marciano was fired this week after high-profile “anger” issues.
Mr. O’Connell’s overhaul of the news division could spell doom for Ms. Godwin and some of her top executives, including editor-in-chief and senior vice president Stasia Desischuk. Executive Vice President Derek Medina; According to CNN, Jose Andino, vice president of the Office of the President and Process Management.
According to CNN, Godwin, who is in a higher position than her, reportedly resented the fact that she could not report directly to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s inner circle and did not like it.
Prior to Mr. O’Connell’s promotion, Mr. Godwin directly reported to Mr. Walden, who has been named as a potential successor to Mr. Iger.
CNN reports that Godwin is also unhappy with what he sees as micromanagement by his bosses at Disney.
In March, the Post reported that Godwin, who was effectively demoted despite recently signing a new deal with Disney, accused ABC News of “this is my network.”
“I’m still in charge,” Godwin told staff on an internal phone call. “This is my network. So if anyone has a problem with it, come see me.”
An ABC spokesperson at the time said: She didn’t say that. ”
ABC News staffers also accused Godwin of failing to calm nerves in light of Iger’s comments last summer that Disney could sell ABC because the number of viewers tuning in to linear television was dwindling. He is reported to have criticized Mr.
ABC News staffers complained that Godwin imposed a “culture of fear” after firing dozens of veteran staffers, the Post previously reported.
Godwin and his executives were accused of firing veteran journalists and replacing them with people with less news experience.
She was also criticized for her handling of the relationship between “GMA3” hosts TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, who were allowed to continue on the air even after reports of their romance became public.
Some staffers are also unhappy with Mr. Godwin’s self-promotional style, which glosses over the important mission of the news department.
They noted that Godwin was led on stage by actors dressed as Wakandan warriors from Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the 2022 National Association of Black Journalists convention opening reception. It pointed out.
Additional reporting by Alexandra Steigrad
