Black Disney Employees Confront CEO Bob Iger Over ‘Unfair Treatment’ Of Kim Godwin

Disney CEO Bob Iger was called out by Black ABC News staffers who accuse the company of treating division chief Kim Godwin unfairly.

A new insider report reveals the confrontation Disney CEO Bob Iger had with Black ABC News staffers who accused the company of treating division chief Kim Godwin unfairly.

The Wall Street Journal revealed a private company lunch that took place last February where Black team members expressed their grievances over the lack of support Godwin was receiving one year before she was demoted. During the meeting, Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden claimed they were “invested in her success.”

However, last week it was announced that veteran executive Debra OConnell was promoted to oversee a new division that encompasses ABC News, Disney, and FX. The move places Godwin under OConnell, and possibly hints at her impending removal from the company.

There were reports of ABC News staffers celebrating Godwin’s demotion, with one allegedly heard singing “Ding dong! The witch is dead,” while others “celebrated at the bar,” sources said. Godwin’s group of supporters said that since being hired to run ABC News, the Black network exec was undermined and second-guessed by veteran staffers in the division.

Some critics accused Godwin of not being actively involved in day-to-day activities, something Disney’s chief White House correspondent and co-anchor of This Week Jonathan Karl denies.

“She’s a crazy workaholic,” Karl said, noting that during his 20-year tenure at the division, he has “never had a stronger relationship” with a unit leader.

Godwin’s demotion came despite her three-year extension following Disney’s announcement of OConnell’s promotion. Insiders said network leaders were concerned about the drop in viewership in Disney-led news shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight, while rivals NBC News and CBS News saw a jump.

Godwin also faced criticism for how she handled the scandalous affair between GMA3 hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach. Some accused the former CBS News VP of firing experienced journalists and replacing them with “yes-men,” while running the division “like a police state.”

ABC News staffers are anticipating a clash between Godwin and OConnoll amid the new change.