ABC’s “20/20” just named Janice Johnston as its newest executive producer making her the first Black woman to hold the title, reports The Root.
No stranger to the network, Johnston got her start as a network associate, producing segments for “World News Now” and “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.” She also served as supervising producer of “Good Morning America” for a decade.
Her two decades of experience with ABC News also includes work in several primetime specials like “Highwire Over Niagra Falls: LIVE,” the “CMA Awards In the Spotlight” series, and “The President and The People” The Town Hall Event which won an Emmy.
“I am delighted to announce that Janice Johnston has been promoted to Executive Producer for 20/20,” said ABC News President James Goldston. “It’s not often we have the opportunity to announce a new EP for 20/20… [Janice] is a terrific journalist with an impressive talent for telling stories that resonate and an exceptional leader.”
Johnston’s accolades speak to her work over the years.
She currently holds the following honors: six Emmy Awards, two duPont Silver Batons, two Peabody Awards, The Cine Golden Eagle, a Gracie Award, a Christopher Award, a National Headliner Award, and a Salute to Excellence from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
With an expansive track record of bringing forth some of “20/20’s” most widely covered stories in the past year like the two-hour broadcast on Vanessa Guillen, Robin Roberts’ interviews with the Cleveland woman kidnapped and held captive for a decade, several breaking news specials, and more, Johnston will surely excel in her new position.
Today, Johnston is only the fourth person to ever hold the executive producer position for “20/20” in 43 years.
