ABC News is undergoing a major shake-up as part of

a

company-wide layoffs at the Walt Disney Co

mpany

.

Several top executives with decades of experience were among the 50 people within ABC News who were cut

on

Thursday, according to people

who were

familiar with the details

,

But

goods

not authorized to discuss

it them

public. The high-level cuts sent shockwaves through the division.

“While these actions are never easy, they are a necessary step to ensure we are on solid foundations for years to come as we chart a sustainable, growth-oriented path for the entire organization,” said ABC News President

Kim Godwin

said in a staff memo obtained by

T

Hey Times.

The cuts are part of Disney’s plan to eliminate

i.e

7,000 jobs as part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the Burbank Entertainment giant’s finances and achieve profitability in its streaming business. High

–

level executives such as the president of Marvel Entertainment

Ike Mother of Pearl

who was fired on Wednesday

ea

caused by the movements

which that

started this week.

Personnel cuts are almost a daily occurrence in the media

company

and technology industries as companies try

control curb

cost amid one

more

difficult economic environment.

Godwin uses Disney’s cost-cutting edict to reshape the management structure at ABC News, leading to the departure of several longtime

–

timers.

Wendy Fisher

, a senior vice president who oversaw newsgathering and had been with the network since 1989, was among those ousted. Her duties are taken over by

Katie Daas

currently London bureau chief for the network, according to Godwin’s memo.

Chris Vlasto,

the

longtime head of the research unit

,

is also out. Vlasto is a respected veteran who led the team

who that

broke the story of

former then-P

resident

Bill Clinton’s

relationship with former White House intern

Monica Levinsky

.

Vlasto’s territory will be taken over by

Stacia Deshishku

executive vice president and senior vice president of news.

So Godwin quit

Gal Gordon

, a senior vice president responsible for talent strategy and development. Gordon arrived at the network in October

upper

2020, pick up

many of the

duties

from Barbara Ferdida

who left

the network ABC that follows

an investigation into racially insensitive comments she made on the job.

Gordon’s

duties tasks

will be handled by

Derek Medina

Godwin’s top aide at ABC News.

Other notable cuts include Heather Riley, who was longtime right-hand man to “Good Morning America” ​​anchor George Stephanopoulos. The Washington-based executive was recently involved in negotiations with the Republican National Committee over the 2024 presidential primary debates and nominating

–

convention coverage.