Vanguard is an American television documentary series that was broadcast on the now-defunct Current TV network. The series reported on issues such as the environment, drugs, and the effects of globalization and conflict. The focus of most episodes was to explore and immerse viewers in global issues of large social significance.
Overview
Unlike sound-bite-driven reporting, the show's correspondents conducted interviews with affected people, and the regions involved were usually accessed with the help of guides and translators. Because the subject matter often involved exposés about organized crime, drug trafficking, and armed revolts, the correspondents could face significant danger due to unstable political or security situations.
Cast and Correspondents
The series featured several correspondents, including:
- Mariana van Zeller
- Christof Putzel
- Adam Yamaguchi
- Laura Ling (who also served as vice president of the Vanguard journalism unit)
- Kaj Larsen
- Adrian Baschuk
- Jael de Pardo
- Tracey Chang
- Lauren Cerre
Awards and Recognition
Vanguard received several of the media industry's highest honors for journalism, including:
- The 69th Annual Peabody Award (2010), given for excellence in electronic media
- The 2010 Television Academy Honor, recognizing achievements in programming that present issues of concern to society in a compelling and insightful way
- The 2009 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia Award
- The 2009 Livingston Award
- Four nominations for a News and Documentary Emmy Award
- One nomination for a Sports Emmy Award
Notable Incident
In 2009, correspondents Laura Ling and her colleague Euna Lee were detained in North Korea after allegedly crossing into the country from the People's Republic of China without a visa. They were producing a piece for Vanguard at the time of their detainment, as shown in an episode titled "Captive in North Korea." They were subsequently pardoned after former U.S. President Bill Clinton flew to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-il.
Broadcast History
The series ran for six seasons, producing 62 episodes (including a special interview with Laura Ling). It aired from 2008 to 2013 on Current TV. In April 2012, Current announced it would produce six new episodes of Vanguard; however, only two episodes were created in season 6 before the series ended.
In 2013, Al Jazeera Media Network bought Current TV and subsequently created Al Jazeera America. The new channel absorbed what remained of Vanguard's team into its investigative unit and the America Tonight team. Correspondent Christof Putzel continued at Al Jazeera America as a correspondent on the investigative reporting series America Tonight.
Episode Topics
Episodes covered a wide range of global issues, including:
- Drug trafficking and cartels (e.g., "The Meth Trail," "Narco War Next Door," "Cocaine Mafia")
- Environmental issues (e.g., "Saving Madagascar," "I Heart Global Warming," "Sushi to the Slaughter")
- Conflict and war (e.g., "Beach of Death," "Sri Lanka: Notes from a War on Terror," "Remote Control War")
- Social and political issues (e.g., "Rape on the Reservation," "Islamophobia," "The 99 Percent")
- Economic topics (e.g., "Maxed Out," "Lost Vegas," "Outsourcing Unemployment")
Related Series
Vanguard is related to the investigative series America Tonight and Fault Lines (2009–2018), which continued similar journalistic work after Vanguard's conclusion.
