Damn, I didn't see this one coming. Well, another day, another transition.
And so it goes, Kevin Brabant (and I liked Charlie in Peter's chair) [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Terry Knab <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, Sep 2, 2009 11:21 am Subject: Goodbye Charlie, Hello Diane reaking: Charlie Gibson To Step Down from ABC 'World News', Diane Sawyer to nchor Broadcast y Chris Ariens on Sep 02, 2009 10:37 AM Gibson_9.2.jpg TVNewser has learned ABC News will announce today that Charlie Gibson will leave World News" in January and that Diane Sawyer will be named the new anchor of he network's evening newscast. Gibson has been the anchor of "World News" since May 2006, after the pairing of lizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff was broken up when Woodruff was seriously ounded in an IED attack in Iraq. Woodruff and Vargas were named co-anchors of the program in Dec. 2005 after the eath of longtime anchor Peter Jennings. DEVELOPING > More: ABC News tells us Gibson is announcing his retirement from ABC News at hich point Sawyer will take over the broadcast. Click continued to read the emails from ABC News president David Westin: Diane's presence will certainly be missed on Good Morning America. But we are ortunate that both Charlie and Diane will remain with their current broadcasts or the next four months.." ...and the email Charlie Gibson sent to his staff: "It has not been an easy ecision to make. This has been my pr ofessional home for almost 35 years. And I ove this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul." From: Westin, David L. ent: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:52 AM o: #ABCTV News ALL ubject: World News Today, Charlie Gibson announced to his colleagues at World News that he has ecided to step down as anchor effective at the end of this year. I attach below harlie's full email. I have asked Diane Sawyer to serve as the next anchor of World News, and she ill assume that position in January. Charlie and I have been talking about his decision for several weeks, and he has ersuaded me that this is both what he wants and what is best for him. I respect is decision, just as I respect the enormous contribution he has made to ABC ews through the years. Most recently, he stepped in to lead World News after a ifficult and turbulent time - both for the broadcast and for ABC News over all. e suffered from the loss of Peter and then the severe injuries to Bob. Charlie ame to the fore to keep us on the path of doing the first rate journalism that ad distinguished World News for many years. We owe him much for the leadership e gave us when we needed it most. Since then, Charlie has covered all the major events with the substance and race that we all expect from him. Most importantly, he headed our coverage uring a presidential election unlike any other. Now, having accomplished so uch in so many different parts of ABC News, Char lie has decided it is time for im to step down. I have told him that he has an open door to continue to work ith ABC News, but he’s asked for a bit of time before he comes back to us. Diane Sawyer is the right person to succeed Charlie and build on what he has ccomplished. She has an outstanding and varied career in television journalism, eginning with her role as a State Department correspondent and continuing at 60 inutes, Primetime Live, and Good Morning America. She has interviewed every resident since President George H. W. Bush up to and including President Obama. he has handled an array of breaking news special events, including on 9/11 and, ost recently, the presidential election. She has done distinguished ocumentaries on topics as varied as North Korea, the plight of women in fghanistan and in prisons here at home, and poverty in Camden, New Jersey, and n Appalachia. We are fortunate to have a journalist of Diane's proven ability nd passion to step into the important position of anchor for World News. She ill continue with her documentaries in her new role. Diane's presence will certainly be missed on Good Morning America. But we are ortunate that both Charlie and Diane will remain with their current broadcasts or the next four months; we will be making further announcements well before ny changes are made. Here is Charlie's email to his staff: have always been taught you should never bury the lead - so I write to tell ou that I have told David Westin I want to step down as anchor of World News, nd retire from full time employment at ABC News. t has not been an easy decision to make. This has been my professional home for lmost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the epths of my soul. have received much comment, and quite a few emails and letters referring to he signoff Eddie Pinder convinced me to use - wishing that everyone has had a ood day. But the proudest part for me has been saying "...for all of us at ABC ews...", since those words signify in my mind that I have been in a position to peak for an entire news department that I consider second to none. t had been my intention to step down from my job at Good Morning America in 007 but with Peter's illness, Bob's injuries, and Elizabeth's pregnancy, the ob at World News came open in May of 2006, and David asked me to step in as nchor. It was an honor to do so. The program is now operating at a very ccelerated, but steady, cruising speed, and I think it is an opportune time for transition – both for the broadcast and for me. Life is dynamic; it is not tatic. have told David I would like to continue in some capacity contributing ccasionally to ABC News. He has been receptive to the idea - and we will be iscussing what that role might be. Most importantly, my heart is full of ratitude for those with whom I have had the pri vilege to work as a orrespondent, as a host at Good Morning America, at Special Events, and now as nchor at World News. 'll be anchoring World News through December and will have a chance to thank any of you personally. In the meantime let's get back to the news... --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ ou received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World ews Now Discussion List" group. o post to this group, send email to [email protected] o unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] or more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/wnndl?hl=en ~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World News Now Discussion List" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/wnndl?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
