May 5 (Reuters) - Kim Godwin decided to step down from

her position as president of Disney ( DIS )-owned ABC News, the

executive said in an internal memo seen by Reuters on Sunday

night.

No successor has been named for the position.

"I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism," Godwin

said in the memo.

"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."

In a separate note seen by Reuters, President of news group

and networks at Disney Entertainment Debra O'Connell said she

will be overseeing ABC News until a successor is named.

The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal

earlier in the day.