Award-Winning Journalist, Author, TV and Web Host Laura Ling to be Keynote Speaker at PRSA's 2019 International Conference

“Journey of Hope” Presentation Includes Details of Capture and Imprisonment by North Korean Forces

NEW YORK, May 23, 2019 – PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today that award-winning journalist Laura Ling will be a keynote speaker on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the organization’s 2019 International Conference, taking place Oct. 20-22 in San Diego.

Throughout her career, Ling has reported on such critical global issues as slave labor in the Amazon, women’s rights in the Middle East and the energy crisis in sub-Saharan Africa.

In March 2009, while reporting on the trafficking of North Korean women for Current TV’s Vanguard documentary series, Ling herself became international news when she and her colleague Euna Lee were captured by North Korean soldiers along the China-North Korea border and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. After 140 days, former President Bill Clinton traveled to North Korea as a special envoy, leading to her release. She documented her experience in her memoir, “Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home,” co-authored with her sister, Lisa.

“Laura Ling’s career has been, and continues to be, marked by poise in the face of adversity and a fierce determination to bring truth to light,” said Debra Peterson, APR, 2019 PRSA Chair. “Her stories are remarkable and captivating, and we are looking forward to hearing and learning from her inspiring journey.”

Ling’s television hosting duties include “Conquered” on Z Living, a series that profiles people who have broken boundaries and conquered obstacles to reach their goals. Her purpose-driven programming for digital network Seeker amassed tens of millions of views online.

Additionally, Ling has hosted two documentary series airing on E!, “E! Investigates” and “Society X with Laura Ling,” which investigated topics including bullying and the rise of synthetic drugs. She has also served as a producer for Channel One News and co-created “Breaking it Down,” a documentary series that aired on MTV. Her work has also appeared on ABC’s “Nightline,” NBC and PBS.

Ling’s work has been recognized with numerous awards including an Emmy Award and a national Edward R. Murrow award. She was honored in 2017 with a national Gracie Award, which recognizes exemplary programming created by, for and about women. She was also named one of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year in 2009 and is a Service Ambassador for Points of Light, the nonpartisan organization dedicated to solving social problems through voluntary service.

Previously announced speakers for PRSA’s 2019 International Conference include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward and Frank X. Shaw, Corporate Vice President, Communications, Microsoft Corporation. The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for communications professionals to enhance their skill sets and advance their careers through 100+ professional development sessions, world-class speakers, peer networking events and an expansive exhibition hall.

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. Founded in 1948, PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With more than 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org. 

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Media Contact:
Rod Granger
(212) 460-0307
rod.granger@prsa.org