The New York based VICE Media company has launched a new broadband television network called VBS.TV. The footage they’ve got has been blowing a lot of people’s minds. They’re not shy to get down and dirty in some of the world’s most dangerous environments – like Liberia and Colombia. It’s basically identical to www.2oceansvibe.tv, except instead of champagne and models, they’ve got drugs and murderers.

I checked out a few vids and was very impressed.

And so was CNN!

Check it out:

Editor’s note: The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of VICE, an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn, New York. VBS.TV is Vice’s broadband television network. The reports, which are produced solely by VICE, reflect a very transparent approach to journalism, where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process. We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers. Viewer discretion advised.

London, England (VBS.TV) — In previous episodes of The Vice Guide to Travel, we road-tripped through North Korea, shopped for dirty bombs in Bulgaria, and hunted mutant wild boars in Chernobyl. Little did we know that all of our harrowing journeys would leave us only semi-prepared for a recent trip to war-ravaged, godforsaken Liberia.

WWW.VBS.TV

Since 1989, a series of brutal civil wars — primarily fought by drug-addicted, prepubescent orphans — has rendered Liberia one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Everyone has heard the stories of abject poverty, ubiquitous substance abuse and wanton violence taking place there, but we don’t really believe anything that we don’t see for ourselves. So, stomachs firmly knotted, off we went.

We arrived in Liberia with a small crew of three and quickly rendezvoused with a local journalist who would be our fixer and guide. Our first shooting location was the West Point slum, home to 80,000 people living in conditions that redefine squalor. Miles of rotting garbage surround the slum, which has no sewage system. Pretty much everyone — even the local government officials — defecates and urinates in the open. Drugs, prostitution and armed robbery are the main industries. We got to know some of the residents of West Point, who told us their stories as they smoked heroin and cocaine and begged us for money.

[more here]

Very cool. Do yourself a favour and watch that video. Then, when you’re done with that, go with them to Colombia and watch the video called “Devil’s Breath” – it’s about a drug available in Colombia, which, when induced, renders you completely in control of the people around you. Anything they tell you to do, you will do. Apparently criminals use it to get people to walk with them to the ATM and draw cash for them. Seriously. The one guy spent the entire afternoon helping thieves load all his furniture onto a truck. In the morning his head cleared and his flat was empty.

No spice.

[thanks brian]