Television journalist Diane Sawyer will be stepping down as the anchor of the nightly newscast “ABC World News,” but will continue working for the network, doing specials and interviews, ABC News President James Goldston announced on Wednesday.
Sawyer, 68, has held the top news job for nearly five years. She will begin her new role later this summer and will be replaced in September by journalist David Muir, who is the network’s weekend anchor and works on its news magazine show “20/20.″
“As much as she loved leading ‘World News’ to new heights … Diane decided that now is the moment to concentrate full-time on tackling big issues in new ways,″ Goldston said in a statement.
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“Diane is one of the giants of modern journalism, and we can’t wait to see where she’ll lead us next,″ he added.
George Stephanopoulos, host of the early news show “Good Morning America″ and the Sunday morning news show “This Week,″ will take on a new role as chief anchor of ABC News, leading special events, breaking news and election coverage.
“He will continue to anchor both shows as he assumes this new and critical leadership role,″ said Goldston.