Journalist Lisa Ling cancels SEMO appearance

Citing scheduling conflicts, journalist Lisa Ling has canceled her speaking engagement slated for next month at Southeast Missouri State University.

The event, part of Southeast's 2010-2011 University Speaker Series, was scheduled for Feb. 23.

The presentation will not be replaced with another speaker this year due to time, date and venue constraints, according to a university news release. Southeast officials say Ling's presentation may be rescheduled for next academic year.

Ling, known for her work on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and as a National Geographic journalist, is the sister of Laura Ling, an American journalist held captive in North Korea for several months in 2009.