Michael Freedman
George Washington University Vice President for Communications;
Professorial Lecturer of Journalism

Phone: (202) 994-8810
Fax: (202) 994-5806
E-mail: mfr@gwu.edu
Office: Rice Hall 504

Expertise

Courses Taught

JOUR 190, Radio News: History and Practice

Selected Works

Background

Michael Freedman is a 30-year, award winning broadcast journalist, network executive, university administrator and teacher. As general manager of CBS Radio Network News, managing editor for the broadcast division of UPI, and a local broadcaster in Detroit, Freedman and his
teams received more than 85 journalistic honors including 14 RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards. Most recently, Freedman was honored with the 2003 RTNDA Peter Hackes Memorial Award for career contributions to broadcast journalism in Washington, D.C. In addition, “The Kalb Report,” for which he serves as executive producer, has been named by the
Associated Press as the 2003 “Best Public Affairs Program on Radio” (WMAL 630 AM) in the nation's capital.

As a vice president of The George Washington University, he negotiated and executed the unprecedented partnership agreement with CNN bringing network programming to GW's campus on a regular basis. In addition to creating and producing the highly acclaimed “Kalb Report” forum series with Marvin Kalb. Freedman created and oversees GW's production of “American Jazz,” “From the Nation's Capital” and “Beyond Category” for XM Satellite Radio. Freedman also teaches “Radio News: History and Practice” in the University's School of Media and Public Affairs.

Freedman, who became GW’s vice president for communications and a
professorial lecturer in journalism in 2000, oversees all University media activities and public affairs initiatives, publications, advertising, graphic design, University events, and the Lisner Auditorium performing arts center. He also serves as the administrator for the Media and Public Affairs Academic Center, and is the executive in charge of GW’s partnership agreement with CNN. Freedman also serves on the board of directors of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, through a partnership involving GW, The Kennedy Center and the Duke Ellington Fund. In addition, he has served as moderator for Smithsonian Associates seminars with Walter Cronkite, Richard C. Hottelet and Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Ernie Harwell.

As general manager of CBS Radio Network News in New York, Freedman restored the evening edition of the “CBS World News Roundup” and created and produced the “CBS News Weekend Roundup.” In addition, he served as executive producer for the historical broadcast, “The CBS News 20th Century Roundup,” a three-hour program anchored by Dan Rather and
featuring the final reunion of all surviving members of Edward R. Murrow’s original broadcast team. Freedman also created and produced the 30-part series, “Walter Cronkite’s Postscripts to the 20th Century,” and managed the network’s coverage of such historic events as the impeachment of President Clinton, the armed conflicts in Iraq and Kosovo, Y2K, New Year’s Eve 2000 activities worldwide and the 2000 Presidential campaign.

His background also includes service as managing editor for the broadcast division of United Press International, leadership press secretary to U.S. House Democratic Whip David E. Bonior (D-MI) and 15 years as a reporter, anchor and news director in Detroit radio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech from Wayne State University (1974). He and his wife Renee have two sons.

Education

B.A., Speech, Wayne State University, 1974