Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Danish immigrant John Malling Sorensen, he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor degree in English literature then continued his studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario where he graduated from the School of Journalism.
Malling was a hard-hitting investigative journalist who became the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Company"s the fifth estate from 1976 to 1990. In 1978, his one-hour documentary on Gerald Bulletin and his role in the illegal export of artillery shells from Canada to South Africa during apartheid brought wide acclaim. In another of many sensational stories, the Federal Minister responsible for Fisheries, John Fraser had to resign after Malling revealed he had overruled his own health inspectors and allowed the sale of tainted Starkist brand of tuna based on the suggestion by a non-government corporation.
In 1990, he moved to CTV to host W5, which during this period was known as W5 with Eric Malling.
He was fired from W5 in 1996. His television journalism earned him a Gemini Award, six ACTRA Awards, three Gordon Sinclair awards for excellence in broadcast journalism.
Malling died of a brain hemorrhage at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after falling down a staircase in his home. He was 52 years of age.
