ABC News President Kim Godwin Announces Retirement Amid Turmoil

Kim Godwin, president of ABC News (Lean Left bias), announced on Sunday that she is stepping down.

Key Quotes: “I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism,” Godwin said in the email to ABC News staff Sunday night. “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.” Shortly before her announcement, the National Association of Black Journalists released a statement supporting her, stating, “We are concerned 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.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum reported that dysfunction within the outlet led to her stepping down. The Daily Caller (Right bias) reported that staffers have been “appalled by Godwin’s leadership style and the several vacant seats of key positions.” The New York Times (Lean Left bias) reported that the turmoil is more a result of overall struggles in the media industry, less so due to the actions of Godwin. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported that Godwin was “often criticized by current and former ABC News staffers for not being as involved in the day-to-day operations compared with her predecessors.”