Michael Freedman
Vice President for Communications
Professorial Lecturer of Journalism

Michael Freedman is a 30-year, award winning broadcast journalist, network executive, university administrator and teacher.

Freedman, who became GW’s vice president for communications and a professorial lecturer in journalism in 2000, oversees all University media activities, online and print publications, advertising, graphic design, University events, and crisis communications. He also serves as the administrator for the Lisner Auditorium performing arts center and GW's Media and Public Affairs Building, and is the executive in charge of GW’s broadcast partnerships. Freedman 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 2002, Freedman negotiated and executed the unprecedented partnership agreement with CNN resulting in more than 775 live telecasts produced on the GW campus. In addition to creating and producing the highly acclaimed “Kalb Report” forum series with Marvin Kalb, he created and oversees GW's production of “American Jazz,” “From the Nation's Capital,” and “Beyond Category” for XM Satellite Radio. Freedman also teaches each semester in the University's School of Media and Public Affairs.

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, John Glenn's return to space, 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–Mich.), and 15 years as a reporter, anchor, and news director in Detroit radio.

Freedman and his teams have received more than 85 journalistic honors including 14 RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2003 he was honored with the RTNDA Peter Hackes Memorial Award for career contributions to broadcast journalism in Washington, D.C. “The Kalb Report,” for which he serves as executive producer, was named by the Associated Press as “Best Public Affairs Program on Radio” in the nation's capital. 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.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech from Wayne State University. He and his wife Renee have two sons.

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CONTACT MICHAEL FREEDMAN:

Phone Number:
(202) 994-8810

Mailing Address:
2121 Eye St., NW
Suite 504
Washington, DC 20052