Good Morning America Accused of Using Robin Roberts Illness as "Promotional Opportunity"

Robin Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant last week, as the highly respected journalist will need many weeks to recover and hopefully overcome a rare blood disorder known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Millions of fans out there are sending Roberts their best.

Except for Tom Shales.

While The Chicago-Sun Times television critic undoubtedly hopes Roberts makes a full recovery, that wasn't the focus of an article he penned last week in which he accused Good Morning America of using Roberts' serious illness as a"promotional opportunity."

“We all wish Robin Roberts well," Shales wrote. "And we hope she is not being charged with sick days, considering the fact that her illness has practically become another character in the show’s cast.”

As you might expect ABC News Senior VP Jeffrey Schneider responded to such a charge with a passionate defense of GMA.

“To be clear, we are keeping faith with our viewers, who are deeply interested in Robin’s journey. We are also mindful that Robin derives strength from the overwhelming outpouring of love. That Tom wouldn’t understand is no surprise here."

What do YOU think? Is GMA focusing too much on Robin's health crisis?