Michael Freedman
Professor of Media and Public Affairs
Executive Director, GW Global Media Institute

Michael Freedman is a 30-year, award winning broadcast journalist, network executive, university administrator and professor. He has served as general manager of CBS Radio Network News, managing editor for the broadcast division of United Press International, leadership press secretary to U.S. House Majority Whip David E. Bonior (D-Mich.), and vice president for Communications at The George Washington University.

In 2009, after eight years as VP/Communications at GW, Freedman was named a professor of Media and Public Affairs and founding executive director of The George Washington University Global Media Institute which engages in research on the transformation of journalsim in the 21st Century, and provides cultural and public affairs content for student, professional and general audiences, as well as context to the media's evolving roles and responsibilities in our society. The institute produces the highly acclaimed Kalb Report public television series moderated by Marvin Kalb, as well as the weekly network radio programs This Just In!, and GW Presents American Jazz. The institute is also the administrative home to the POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll.

As a vice president at GW, Freedman was responsible for all University media activities, online and print publications, advertising, graphic design, University events, and crisis communications. He also served as the administrator for Lisner Auditorium and GW's Media and Public Affairs Building. In 2002, Freedman negotiated and executed the unprecedented partnership with CNN resulting in more than 775 live telecasts produced on the GW campus.

As general manager of CBS Radio Network News in New York, Freedman 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, armed conflicts in Iraq and Kosovo, John Glenn's return to space, Y2K, and the 2000 Presidential campaign. He also 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 and his teams have received more than 85 journalistic honors including 14 RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2009 the Global Media Institute earned a Gold World Medal in the New York Festivals International Radio Awards competition for its centennial tribute to Edward R. Murrow. In 2003 Freedman was honored with the RTNDA Peter Hackes Memorial Award for career contributions to broadcast journalism in Washington, D.C. Freedman is co-author of “The Broadcast Voice Handbook” and a contributing author to “Broadcasting Through Crisis,” “Responsible Journalism” and “The Encyclopedia of Journalism.” 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.

Freedman serves on the board of directors of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the RTNDA Washington, D.C. Chapter, and The Radio History Society, and is a member of The Newseum Education Advisory Team.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech from Wayne State University. He and his wife Renee have two sons and live in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

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CONTACT MICHAEL FREEDMAN:

Phone Number:
(202) 994-8266
Mailing Address:
805 21st St., NW, Suite 203
Washington, DC 20052

Professor Freedman's Media History
Course Taught at the Newseum: