A Profile on Lisa Ling
Arielle Rothstein
Lisa Ling, an American journalist born in Sacramento, California, began her career at the young-age of 16 when she hosted “Scratch”, a nationally syndicated teen magazine show. She continued her passion for journalism on Channel One News where she became one of the youngest reporters and anchors. By age 25, Ling was a Channel One correspondent, which gave her the opportunity to travel the world, reporting on the likes of cocaine labs, Afghanistan, and tea-time with the Dalai Lama. She then joined Diane Sawyer on The View until the end of 2002 during which she was quoted that her goal as a co-host was to say one thing each day that made people think, “…whether it made them cheer or made them throw things at their TV.”
In fact, Ling’s desire to make people think has shown through in much of her work. She currently travels around the world as host (the first woman host, to be exact) of National Geographic Ultimate Explorer focusing on little known and/or readily ignored stories that deserve news coverage. While on the job, Ling has explored the complexities of female suicide bombers, interviewed male inmates in one of the highest secured all male prisons, and investigated the dangerous and deadly Colombian drug wars. She repeatedly brings relevant, fascinating, and overlooked news items into the homes of her viewers, readers, and followers. Ling is also on special assignment for The Oprah Winfrey Show and in 2010, she will have her own talk show on the highly anticipated OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
On a personal note, Lisa faced turmoil within her own family when her younger sister, Laura, also a journalist, was arrested by North Korean border officials and sentenced to twelve years in a labor camp. Lisa helped her sister, and Euna Lee (the other journalist who was being held captive) leave the country by spearheading a massive media campaign that called attention to the desperate need for communication between North Korea and the United States. Laura Ling is now home safely and has co-authored a memoir with Lisa, entitled “Something Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home”. Lisa’s list of accomplishments is obviously a long one—impressive, to say the least. Lucky for us, Ling, at age 36, has a long career in front of her—one in which, the possibilities are endless, the adventures are inevitable, and the stories are bound to be incredible.
To learn more about Lisa Ling go to www.lisaling.com.
Lisa Ling, an American journalist born in Sacramento, California, began her career at the young-age of 16 when she hosted “Scratch”, a nationally syndicated teen magazine show. She continued her passion for journalism on Channel One News where she became one of the youngest reporters and anchors. By age 25, Ling was a Channel One correspondent, which gave her the opportunity to travel the world, reporting on the likes of cocaine labs, Afghanistan, and tea-time with the Dalai Lama. She then joined Diane Sawyer on The View until the end of 2002 during which she was quoted that her goal as a co-host was to say one thing each day that made people think, “…whether it made them cheer or made them throw things at their TV.”
In fact, Ling’s desire to make people think has shown through in much of her work. She currently travels around the world as host (the first woman host, to be exact) of National Geographic Ultimate Explorer focusing on little known and/or readily ignored stories that deserve news coverage. While on the job, Ling has explored the complexities of female suicide bombers, interviewed male inmates in one of the highest secured all male prisons, and investigated the dangerous and deadly Colombian drug wars. She repeatedly brings relevant, fascinating, and overlooked news items into the homes of her viewers, readers, and followers. Ling is also on special assignment for The Oprah Winfrey Show and in 2010, she will have her own talk show on the highly anticipated OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
On a personal note, Lisa faced turmoil within her own family when her younger sister, Laura, also a journalist, was arrested by North Korean border officials and sentenced to twelve years in a labor camp. Lisa helped her sister, and Euna Lee (the other journalist who was being held captive) leave the country by spearheading a massive media campaign that called attention to the desperate need for communication between North Korea and the United States. Laura Ling is now home safely and has co-authored a memoir with Lisa, entitled “Something Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home”. Lisa’s list of accomplishments is obviously a long one—impressive, to say the least. Lucky for us, Ling, at age 36, has a long career in front of her—one in which, the possibilities are endless, the adventures are inevitable, and the stories are bound to be incredible.
To learn more about Lisa Ling go to www.lisaling.com.
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