The focus of most Vanguard episodes is to explore and immerse viewers in global issues that have a large social significance.

Unlike sound-bite driven reporting, the show's correspondents conduct interviews with affected people, and the regions involved are usually led by a guide and translator who facilitate access.

Since Vanguard's subject matter often involves exposés about organized crime, drug trafficking, and armed revolts, the correspondents can face significant danger because of their reporting due to unstable political or security situations.

Vanguard has received some of the media industry's highest honors for journalism, including the 69th Annual Peabody Award, given for excellence in electronic media,[1] and the 2010 Television Academy Honor, which recognizes "achievements in programming that present issues of concern to our society in a compelling, and emotional and insightful way.

They were subsequently pardoned after former U.S. President Bill Clinton flew to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-il.