This focus on the culture of art and youth is just one facet of VICE’s coverage. Devin Greenleaf works for VICE News, which covers a wide range of domestic and international stories. Some of VICE’s notable efforts have included sending a journalist behind enemy lines into ISIS-occupied territory; an exposé on the drug crisis plaguing Colombia; an interview with a man in Siberia who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus; stories on LGBTQ struggles in the developing world, the issues surrounding marijuana legalization, and a newspaper written by refugees for refugees; and the list goes on.
Along with its reputation for covering underreported stories, VICE journalism is famous for its reporters’ bravery, regularly putting their lives on the line for the sake of a powerful story. Greenleaf talked about how coverage of the 2015 Nepal earthquake embodied VICE’s commitment to compelling journalism, risks be damned: “That was a time where we were really focused on making sure the team had water, making sure the team had electricity, and all those types of things. We got really good content out of it. But each day it changed really quickly.” The earthquake (and other stories like it) was too important not to cover, regardless of anyone’s personal safety.
Garcia-Vasquez says that VICE “didn’t start like a news agency at all,” but this once-on-the-fringe outlet has grown far beyond its original ambitions, representing stories and perspectives that appeal to a broad audience of younger people. VICE plays a leading role in reaching a demographic that isn’t embraced by conventional news outlets, inspiring them to take a greater interest in current events. This is what’s given VICE the audience and power it has today: making quality news for a young and global demographic, helping facilitate dialogue and open communication to encourage a new generation to observe, engage, and take action for their world.