Laura Ling is an American journalist best known for playing Creator, Correspondent and Journalism Executive in Vanguard.
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Best Known For:The television show Vanguard
Breakthrough:Graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1998
10 Quick Facts About Laura Ling
- Full Name: Laura Ling
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Journalist and correspondent
- Known For: The television show Vanguard
- Current Role: Journalist and TV host
- Date of Birth: December 1, 1976
- Age: 49 years old
- Place of Birth: Carmichael, California
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Iain Clayton
Laura Ling Age
Laura Ling is 49 years old. She was born on December 1, 1976, and her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Education
Her educational background includes studies at Rio Americano High School and University of California, Los Angeles.
- Rio Americano High School
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Qualification: Bachelor's degree
- Field of Study: Communications
- Period: Graduated in 1998
Career & Work
Laura Ling's career includes news and reporting roles with Hearst Television and Discovery Digital Networks.
Organization: Hearst Television
Role: Vice President, Very Local
Period: From February 2023
Details: United States
Organization: Hearst Television
Role: Director of Programming, Streaming Video Services
Period: 2021–2023
Details: United States · Oversaw the development of original programming for streaming services.
Organization: Discovery Digital Networks
Role: Director of Development
Period: From November 2014
Details: United States · Worked on development of digital programming, including the Seeker network.
Organization: Current TV
Role: Correspondent and Vice President of Journalism
Period: From 2005
Details: United States · Helped create the investigative documentary series Vanguard and led reporting about international social issues.
Organization: Channel One News
Role: Correspondent and Producer
Period: Early career
Details: United States · Worked in youth-oriented television journalism and international reporting.
Organization: E! Entertainment
Role: Investigative Documentary Host and Reporter
Period: Historical
Details: United States · Hosted and reported for E! Investigates.
Rise to Fame
Laura Ling rose to prominence for her role on the television show Vanguard.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes Vanguard, Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home, and Very Local Original Programming.
Television
- TV Show: Vanguard (Creator, Correspondent and Journalism Executive, From 2005) — Current TV investigative documentary series
- TV Show: E! Investigates (Host and Reporter) — Documentary series exploring social issues and contemporary events
Books
- Book: Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home (Co-author, 2010) — Memoir co-written with Lisa Ling about the 2009 North Korea detention and efforts to secure her release
Podcasts
- Podcast: Everyday Bravery (Host) — Podcast about resilience and overcoming major personal challenges
Digital Series
- Digital Series: Very Local Original Programming (Programming Executive, From 2021) — Development of local storytelling and nonscripted programming for Hearst Television's streaming service
- Digital Series: The Power of Kindness (Host) — Discovery documentary series examining the science and effects of kindness
Notable Coverage
- North Korea detention - Current TV - 2009 - Was detained for 140 days with fellow journalist Euna Lee while researching the trafficking of North Korean women
- Slave labor in the Amazon - Vanguard - Reported on labor exploitation and human rights issues
- Mexico's drug war - Vanguard - Investigated violence and its effects on communities
- Internet censorship in China - Vanguard - Reported on censorship and restrictions on information
- Women's rights in Turkey - Vanguard - Produced international reporting about women's rights
Awards & Achievements
- Alfred I. duPont Award — Columbia University — Recognition associated with the Vanguard investigative documentary series under her journalism leadership.
Laura Ling Family & Relationships
Laura Ling is married to Iain Clayton. She has 2 children, Li Jefferson Clayton and Kai.
- Father: Douglas Ling
- Mother: Mary Mei-yan
- Siblings:
- Lisa Ling
- Children:
- Li Jefferson Clayton (2010)
- Kai
Lesser Known Facts
- She grew up in the Sacramento area of California.
- She was detained in North Korea for 140 days in 2009.
- She wrote about her detention in a memoir with her sister.
- She moved from field reporting into documentary production and streaming programming leadership.
- Her early reporting examined labor exploitation, censorship, trafficking and international human rights.
- She is the younger sister of journalist Lisa Ling.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Laura Ling
- Popular As: Laura G. Ling
- Gender: Female
- Occupation: Journalist and correspondent
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: December 1, 1976
- Age: 49
- Birthday: December 1
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Place of Birth: Carmichael, California
Family & Relationships
- Father: Douglas Ling
- Mother: Mary Mei-yan
- Siblings: Lisa Ling
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Iain Clayton
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $87,000–$380,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $421,000–$6,017,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Lisa Ling (Sibling • Older sister, journalist and co-author of Somewhere Inside.)
- Euna Lee (Colleague • Fellow Current TV journalist detained in North Korea in 2009.)
- Iain Clayton (Spouse • Husband of Laura Ling.)
