Janay Norman, a former anchor for Good Morning America Weekend, has openly criticized ABC News and some of its prominent figures since her departure, causing quite a stir among her ex-colleagues at the network.
Through her social media platforms, Norman has expressed strong disapproval of her former employer, claiming that ABC and other news outlets are “complicit in defending white supremacy.” This accusation came after a video related to Michael Strahan’s interview with the parents of Nolan Wells, a Mississippi teenager who was found dead.
Staff at ABC News have expressed frustration over this unusual public fallout. A recent report indicated that Norman’s comments have “raised many eyebrows” within the organization.
Earlier this year, ABC chose not to renew Norman’s contract. She took issue with Strahan questioning the parents about why their son stayed on Horn Island, a point highlighted in a clip from her video. She remarked, “Bless Michael, because he was successful from the beginning,” but suggested that the question posed to the grieving family was inappropriate.
According to Norman, the focus should have been on whether the parents believed their son made those choices, rather than expecting them to justify decisions made by someone who passed away. She described Strahan’s approach as lacking objectivity and, subjectively, as insensitive.
Expanding her critique, Norman mentioned that the media often places excessive trust in law enforcement, which can contribute to racial tensions. She emphasized the historical significance of Mississippi, highlighting its history of lynchings, and argued that this context is often overlooked in reporting.
“Ignoring that context makes news outlets complicit in upholding systemic racism, whether intentionally or not,” she stated.
Furthermore, she pointed out perceived flaws in ABC’s coverage regarding the Wells case, accusing them of “gaslighting” the audience and labeling some content as “problematic” and “victim blaming.”
Norman’s scrutiny didn’t stop there. She also took aim at “World News Tonight with David Muir,” suggesting that their coverage of a New Mexico ruling against Meta was lacking compared to competing networks, as they didn’t use impactful language from the judge.
Despite leaving ABC only recently, Norman’s public critique of her former station was unexpected. Reports mentioned that she wasn’t particularly favored by ABC News leadership, and there had been tension during her tenure.
After her exit, there were contentious discussions regarding her forthcoming book, with ABC requesting details about its content. Norman later modified the book cover to align with ABC’s preferences.
In her farewell message on Instagram, she expressed disappointment at not being able to say goodbye properly to the audience she had built a connection with during her time at the network.
Sources indicated that Norman was aware of her contract’s non-renewal in March but continued to work for several weeks afterward. Following the confirmation of her departure, her role was abruptly ended, despite reports stating her contract was valid until May.
As tensions seem to escalate, Norman is scheduled to attend the National Association of Black Journalists conference, where former ABC News president Kim Godwin will also be present. While Godwin did not comment on the situation, he hinted at being open to sharing his experiences related to his time at ABC.
Norman’s recent videos show a willingness to critique the institutions where she built her career. “I was doing news,” she stated. “Right now I’m just reporting facts and inconvenient truths.”
The Post has reached out to both Norman and ABC News for comments.
