Fred W. Friendly

Fred W. Friendly (October 30, 1915–March 3,1998) is the former president of CBS News and the creator, with Edward R. Murrow of the documentary television program See It Now. In 1966 he resigned from CBS when the network ran an episode of I Love Lucy instead of the first senate hearings questioning American involvement in Vietnam, Friendly went on to create the Fred Friendly Seminars.

Related Topics:
October 30 - 1915 - March 3 - 1998 - CBS News - Edward R. Murrow - See It Now - 1966 - I Love Lucy - Senate - Vietnam

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Friendly entered radio in the 1930s in a staff position. By the 1940s he was a successful radio producer. It was in this role that he first worked with Murrow on the radio documentary series I Can Hear it Now. He made the move to television with Murrow.

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Murrow and Friendly broadcast a revealing documentary analysis on Senator Joseph McCarthy which has been credited with changing the public view of McCarthy and being a key event in McCarthy's fall from power.

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He was the author of several books, including The Good Guys, The Bad Guys and The First Amendment (an account of a number of first amendment court cases and particularly of the "Fairness doctrine"), Minnesota rag (A history of Near v. Minnesota), The Constitution: That Delicate Balance, The Present-minded professor, and Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control (about his 16 years at CBS).

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After left CBS Friendly worked at the Ford Foundation. Later he held the post of Edward R. Murrow Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Columbia University. He played a major role in establishing the PBS network. The broadcast newsroom at Columbia University's School of Journalism is named for Friendly.

Related Topics:
Ford Foundation - Columbia University - PBS

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He was born Ferdinand Friendly Wachenheimer, in New York City.

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In the film Good Night, and Good Luck, Friendly will be played by George Clooney.

Related Topics:
Good Night, and Good Luck - George Clooney

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