Whoopi Goldberg was placed on a two-week, unpaid suspension yesterday by ABC boss Kim Godwin to put an end to a ‘culture’ at the network where The View host and her colleague Joy Behar could ‘say and do whatever they wanted’, insiders tell DailyMail.com.
The controversy began on Monday when Whoopi claimed on-air that the Holocaust was ‘not about race’. She posted a Twitter apology, then apologized on-air on Tuesday but after the show, was suspended.
DailyMail.com can reveal that she will lose out on her $192,000 pay check for those two weeks.
Staffers welcomed the suspension and said it finally brings an end to Whoopi and her co-host Joy Behar doing ‘whatever they wanted’, a problem they said started when Barbara Walters left the show.
‘ABC understands that this is an opinion based show, the facts will always be paramount. We want robust discussion but can’t have the hosts saying things that are false and not based in fact.
‘What Whoopi said was not based in fact and was highly inflammatory and offensive.
‘It’s a new day at ABC News. Kim [Godwin] wants her entire team to be held accountable for their words and actions.
‘There has been a real power vacuum on The View since Barbara Walters retired, because she ran the show with an iron first.
After Barbara [Walters] left it became a free for all and Whoopi and Joy could do and say whatever they wanted. This is now coming to an end
Senior ABC News source
‘After Barbara it became a free for all and Whoopi and Joy could do and say whatever they wanted. This is now coming to an end.
‘Kim is drawing a line in the sand for all staff across ABC News and is attempting to build a corporate culture based on truth, facts, accountability and kindness.
‘If you do not operate within this prism, Kim will take action. Whoopi’s suspension highlights this.
‘Disney is aware that there are huge cultural issues within ABC News and Kim has the backing of Mickey Mouse to fix up the news division and set it on a different course.
‘Whoopi is welcome to return after her unpaid two week suspension. She took the news well and understood where the network was coming from.’
On the show on Tuesday, Joy kicked off where Whoopi normally would.
‘You all saw the news Whoopi will be back here in two weeks. Ok. Tara Setmeyer has returned to guest co-host,’ Behar said before launching into the show’s first segment – hot topics.
In an email sent to staff that was obtained by DailyMail.com, Godwin – who was named President at ABC News, said yesterday: ‘I want to follow up with you all regarding Whoopi Goldberg’s comments on “The View” yesterday that were misinformed, upsetting and hurtful.
‘I have made the decision to suspend Whoopi from “The View” for two weeks effective immediately.
‘These decisions are never easy, but necessary.
‘Just last week I noted that the culture at ABC News is one that is driven, kind, inclusive, respectful, and transparent.
‘Whoopi’s comments do not align with those values.
‘It was important that Whoopi had a chance to address her comments on the show today where she made them and have an educational conversation with Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
‘I appreciate their conversation and his acknowledgement of Whoopi’s efforts. As he tweeted, “Deeply appreciate @WhoopiGoldberg inviting me on to @TheView today to have an important discussion on the importance of educating about the Holocaust. Whoopi has been a long-time ally of the Jewish community and @ADL and her apology is very much welcome.”
‘Whoopi has shown through her actions over many years that she understands the horrors of the Holocaust and she started today’s show with that recognition.
‘But words matter and we must be cognizant of the impact our words have.
‘I’ll be issuing the below statement shortly.
“Effective immediately, I am suspending Whoopi Goldberg for two weeks for her wrong and hurtful comments.
‘While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities.”
Source: Daily Mail
