Another journalist goes digital.
Laura Ling, who previously hosted and reported at E! and Current TV, has joined Discovery Digital Networks as its Director of Development, the network announced Wednesday.
In the new role, Ling–the sister of CNN’s Lisa Ling–will join the senior team overseeing original program development for the collection of digital networks, which currently draws 150 million monthly streams.
Most recently, Ling was reporting for E! Investigates and Society X; a documentary series airing on E! Network focusing on issues like teen suicide, challenges facing military spouses, and underground youth subcultures in America.
In 2009, Ling–along with Euna Lee–was detained and imprisoned in North Korea after they tried to film refugees at the Chinese border with North Korea. The harrowing experience lasted five months, ending when President Clinton traveled to North Korea and helped facilitate the journalists’ release.
“Throughout my career, I have sought out the stories that haven’t been told and the people the world hasn’t met, and I am excited to join the Discovery Digital Networks team to help bring more of these stories to light online,” Ling said.
“Laura is a phenomenal talent who brings an unparalleled level of curiosity and commitment to storytelling to her work, and now Discovery Digital Networks,” noted Tom Lofthouse, Senior Vice President of Programming for Discovery Digital Networks, to whom Ling reports. “Discovery Digital Networks continues to extend and deepen its relationship with passionate online audiences, and we look forward to exploring new topics and worlds with Laura as the guide.”