From Washington Jewish Week Online Edition
12/5/2007
Joan Friedenberg, Web consultant, 53
Joan Maura Friedenberg of Bethesda, who owned a new media consulting firm, died Nov. 29 from the effects of a number of ailments, including Lyme disease. She was 53.
Born in Richmond, Friedenberg earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and a master's degree, also in communications, from Boston University.
She worked for a number of media organizations including McNeil/Lehrer Productions, ABC News and National Public Radio.
In 1995, she became the founding editor of the Online NewsHour, the Web site for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. In 2003, she started her own new media consulting firm, Joan M. Friedenberg LLC, in Bethesda.
Friedenberg was a member of Congregation B'nai Israel in Rockville and the Ashburton Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.
She is survived by her husband, Jonathan Salant; her son, Isaac Salant; and her mother, Lorraine Friedenberg of Rockville.
Monday, Dec 03
PBS Pays Tribute To Joan Friedenberg
Last week, we noted the sad passing of Joan Friedenberg, the founding editor of PBS' Online NewsHour and wife to Bloomberg's Jonathan Salant.
In this PBS release, Online Newshour editor Lee Banville pays tribute to Joan:
"Joan's enterprising spirit and collegial nature were critical to shaping the creative atmosphere and innovation that has marked the Online NewsHour throughout the years," Lee Banville, editor of Online NewsHour, said Friday. "She is the one who pointed us in the right direction and gave us the freedom and drive to try and achieve what we have over these past 12 years."
Services were held for Joan yesterday at Rockville's Congregation B'Nai Israel.
November 30, 2007
Joan Friedenberg,
Founding Editor of Online NewsHour, Dies at 53
The NewsHour is saddened to report the death of Joan Friedenberg, the founding editor of the Online NewsHour.
Ms. Friedenberg, 53, is survived by her son Isaac, better known as "Izzy", and husband, Bloomberg political reporter Jonathan Salant.
Over her 30-year career, Ms. Friedenberg was a member of national and international production teams whose work was recognized by the George Foster Peabody Awards, the New York Festivals, Cannes Film Festival, the Telly Awards and the DVD Association of America (DVDA).
A graduate of Ohio University, she earned a master's degree in public communication and broadcasting from Boston University before beginning her career in the broadcast and digital world.
Ms. Friedenberg worked for major media organizations including MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, ABC-TV News (London), National Public Radio, McGraw - Hill, Inc. (London & Washington) and SVT-TV2 (Swedish National Television).
In 1995, she became the founding editor of the Online NewsHour - the Web site for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Ms Friedenberg guided the new site through its formative years and set an editorial standard that has garnered the site numerous journalistic awards.
"Joan's enterprising spirit and collegial nature were critical to shaping the creative atmosphere and innovation that has marked the Online NewsHour throughout the years," Lee Banville, editor of Online NewsHour, said Friday. "She is the one who pointed us in the right direction and gave us the freedom and drive to try and achieve what we have over these past 12 years."
In 1998, Ms. Friedenberg left the NewsHour's full-time staff to spend more time with her son and husband. Despite her departure, she remained a critical part of MacNeil/Lehrer's digital evolution, co-producing the company's first Web-connected interactive DVD in 2001 through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In 2003, she completed a DVDA WebDVD award winning title: Changing the Face of Medicine - Profiles in Achievement for the National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine.
Robert MacNeil's 2005 documentary "Do You Speak American?" brought Ms. Friedenberg back to the NewsHour as the producer of the digital ancillaries, conceiving and producing the companion Web site and Web-connected DVD.
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WEDDINGS;Joan Friedenberg, Jonathan Salant
Published: May 12, 1996
Joan M. Friedenberg, the editor of the Internet site for "The Newshour With Jim Lehrer" in Arlington, Va., is to be married today to Jonathan D. Salant, a political reporter for Congressional Quarterly in Washington. Rabbi Avis D. Miller is to perform the ceremony at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington.
Ms. Friedenberg, 41, graduated from Ohio University and received a master's degree in public communication and broadcasting from Boston University. Her first marriage ended in divorce. She is a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Milton Friedenberg of Richmond. The bride's father is a psychiatrist there.
Mr. Salant, 42, graduated from the State University at Stony Brook, L.I., and received a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. He is the immediate past president of the Society of Professional Journalists and is chairman of the National Press Club's Freedom of the Press Committee.
He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Salant of Old Bethpage, L.I. The bridegroom's mother, Claire Salant, is a retired executive director and a co-founder of the New Interdisciplinary School for Children and Families in Old Bethpage. His father retired as a division manager at the American Management Association.
Jon Salant's wife dies
Sad news from Washington... Jonathan Salant's wife Joan Friedenberg has died.
She had Lyme disease for quite a while, but it seemed to be under control. Joan died suddenly after unexpected complications.
Jon was a Syracuse Newspapers reporter from 1984 to 1994, last serving as Washington correspondent. Most recently, he was president of the National Press Club, and a reporter for Bloomberg News. He was our Wall of Distinction keynote speaker in 2006.
The Press Club sends its condolences to Jon and his family.
Contributions may be made in Joan Friedenbergfs memory to the National Press Clubfs Eric Friedheim Library.
It is the Clubs intention to rename its prestigious Online Journalism Awards in Ms. Friedenbergs honor, and contributions to this fund can be made in the following manner:
Payable to: Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library; National Press Club; 529 14th Street NW; Washington, DC 20045.
One may note that the gift is to be designated for the Friedenberg Awardin the memo section of the check.
Additionally, secure online contributions can be made with a credit card by visiting The National Press Club site, and clicking on the blue Donate Now button on the upper right-hand side of the page. There is an area on the online form entitled Gift Information, and it is here where it can be noted that the donation is being made in memory of Joan Friedenberg.
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Friday, Nov 30
A Sad, Sad Day
All of Washington's journalists send their deep condolences to Bloomberg's Jonathan Salant, whose wife, Joan, passed away unexpectedly last night. There is a service on Sunday.
Please keep Jonathan, Joan and their families and friends in your thoughts.
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Digital Ancillaries MacNeil/Lehrer Productions) As the producer of digital ancillaries for Do You Speak American? Joan Friedenberg conceived and produced the companion web site and web-connected DVD that accompanies the broadcast.
Over her 30-year career, Ms. Friedenberg has been a member of national and international production teams whose work has been recognized by the George Foster Peabody Awards, The New York Festivals, The Cannes Film Festival, the Telly Awards and most recently the DVD Association of America (DVDA).
Ms. Friedenberg has worked for major media organizations including MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, ABC-TV News (London), National Public Radio, McGraw - Hill, Inc. (London & Washington) and SVT-TV2 (Swedish National Television).
In 1995, she became the founding editor of the Online NewsHour - the web site for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. In 2001, she co-produced MacNeil/Lehrer's first web-connected interactive DVD through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In 2003 she completed the DVDA WebDVD award winning title: Changing the Face of Medicine - Profiles in Achievement for the National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine.
