Fred W. Friendly was the creator, along with Edward R. Murrow, of the documentary television program See It Now.

Murrow and Friendly broadcast a revealing See It Now documentary analysis on Senator Joseph McCarthy that has been credited with changing the public view of McCarthy and, being a key event leading to McCarthy's fall from power. It was an extension of the duo's continuing probe of the conflict between McCarthy's anti-Communist crusade and individual rights.

Friendly served as president of CBS News from 1964 to 1966.

It was Friendly who originated the concept of public-access television cable TV channels.

Fred W. Friendly was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1994.