E! Entertainment has hired journalist and author Laura Ling to host its popular investigative documentary series, E! Investigates.
In each episode of the one-hour series, Ling, who most recently served as vice president of Current TV's journalism department and created the service's weekly investigative documentary series Vanguard, will delve deep into one of today's most important and controversial topics, stories and trends that are often overlooked or misrepresented in the media.
In March 2009, while reporting on the trafficking of North Korean women, Ling was detained by North Korean soldiers along the Chinese-North Korean border. She and her colleague Euna Lee were arrested and held captive in North Korea for 140 days before being granted a special pardon and returning to the United States
In her first episodes as host of E! Investigates on Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)and 15, respectively Ling will explore the rise of teenage suicides in the U.S. and the troubling stories and secret realities of military wives.
" Laura Ling is one of today's most engaging, passionate and well-respected young journalists,'" said Cyndi McClellan , executive vice president, program strategy and research, Comcast Entertainment Group, in a statement. "Her unique approach to bringing untold stories to light will help take ‘E! Investigates' to a whole new level of in-depth reporting. Laura will help connect viewers to stories and controversial issues that impact our network's young adult audience."
