How We Choose Topics for Public Benefit
Selecting topics is a deliberate, documented process at Insight Video Project. We prioritize subject matter that can advance public understanding, help people make better-informed decisions in everyday life, and support civic awareness. This editorial note explains the criteria we use, how we verify sources, and how the decision-making process preserves neutrality and accessibility.
Criteria: Public Value, Clarity, and Sourceability
When we evaluate potential topics we apply three primary criteria. First, public value: we choose subjects that address common questions, emerging public-interest issues, or gaps in accessible explanations. Topics that improve everyday decision-making or clarify widely shared topics receive priority. Second, clarity: we assess whether the subject can be communicated clearly within a concise video format so viewers can grasp key points without specialist training. Third, sourceability: we require that an adequate set of reputable, independently verifiable sources exist to support the content. If a topic lacks reliable sources or depends heavily on unverifiable claims, we either postpone coverage or reframe the piece to focus on the evidence base and open questions rather than definitive recommendations. This approach helps prevent the spread of speculation and ensures our videos remain grounded in credible material. The balance of these criteria aims to maximize public benefit while minimizing the risk of misinterpretation or overreach.
Sourcing, Verification, and Editorial Independence
Our editorial team conducts structured research before producing a video. We compile primary and secondary sources such as peer-reviewed studies, official reports, subject-matter expert commentary, and reputable journalism. For topics touching law, health, or finance we explicitly label the content as informational and include disclaimers recommending consultation with qualified professionals for personal advice. A multi-step review checks the accuracy of factual claims, the context for any statistics, and whether visual aids correctly represent data. All advertising partners are kept separate from editorial decisions; revenue considerations do not determine topic selection or the framing of material. When we curate third-party videos, we evaluate licensing and source quality to confirm alignment with our standards. If community feedback identifies legitimate errors, we correct content transparently and note the change so viewers can understand the update. This process is intended to preserve trust and minimize the potential for misleading or harmful interpretations while keeping content openly accessible.
How You Can Suggest Topics and What to Include
We welcome topic suggestions from the public. To help our editorial team evaluate submissions efficiently, include a short description of the idea, the public question it addresses, and any suggested sources or references. Note whether the suggestion targets general awareness, an explainer for a technical subject, or an accessibility-related need (for example, offering captioning for a video). For corrections, include the video title, timestamp, and a description of the alleged issue and supporting sources where possible. Use the contact page to submit suggestions or corrections; our team acknowledges receipts and aims to respond with an estimated timeline for review. While we cannot publish every suggestion, community input is an important part of our discovery process and contributes to continuous improvement. Transparency about what we publish and why helps maintain a responsible, informative library of openly accessible videos for a broad audience.