10.6 Vox pops and person-on-the-street interviews

Vox pops, short for "voice of the people," are brief interviews with the public used in TV news. They capture diverse opinions on current events, adding a human touch to stories and engaging viewers with relatable perspectives.

These informal street interviews serve multiple purposes in newsrooms. They quickly gauge public sentiment, provide diverse viewpoints, and add emotional resonance to stories. Vox pops complement other reporting techniques, offering a snapshot of how issues impact everyday people.

Definition of vox pops

• Vox pops, short for vox populi, is a Latin phrase meaning "voice of the people"
• In television newsroom, vox pops refer to short, informal interviews with members of the public
• These interviews are typically conducted on the street or in public places to gather a range of opinions on a specific topic

Origins of the term

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• The term "vox populi" has been used since ancient times to describe the opinions or beliefs of the majority
• In journalism, the term "vox pop" was first used in the 1930s by American broadcaster Lowell Thomas
• Thomas used the term to describe his man-on-the-street interviews, which aimed to capture the views of ordinary people

Modern usage in news

• Today, vox pops are a common feature in television news programs and documentaries
• They are often used to provide a snapshot of public opinion on a current event or controversial issue
• Vox pops can add a human element to news stories and help engage viewers by showcasing relatable perspectives

Purposes of vox pops

• Vox pops serve several key purposes in television newsroom, offering insights into public sentiment and enhancing storytelling
• They provide a way to quickly gauge public opinion on a topic without conducting a formal survey or poll
• Vox pops can also add diversity to a news story by including voices from different demographics and backgrounds

Gauging public opinion

• Vox pops offer a quick and informal way to assess public sentiment on a particular issue
• By interviewing a range of people, journalists can get a sense of the prevailing attitudes and opinions
• While not scientifically representative, vox pops can provide valuable insights into how a story is resonating with the public

Providing diverse perspectives

• Vox pops allow journalists to include a variety of viewpoints in their stories
• By interviewing people from different backgrounds, ages, and locations, vox pops can showcase the diversity of public opinion
• This diversity can help make news stories more relatable and engaging for viewers

Adding human interest

• Vox pops can add a human element to news stories, making them more compelling and emotionally resonant
• By featuring real people and their personal experiences, vox pops can help viewers connect with the story on a deeper level
• This human interest angle can be particularly effective in stories about social issues or community events

Selecting participants

• Choosing the right participants is crucial for creating effective vox pops that accurately reflect public opinion
• Journalists must consider factors such as location, demographics, and screening for articulate responses
• The goal is to select a diverse range of participants who can provide thoughtful and engaging soundbites

Choosing a location

• The location for vox pops should be relevant to the story and have a high volume of foot traffic
• Popular locations include public squares, shopping centers, parks, and transit hubs
• The location should also be safe and accessible for the news crew and participants

Approaching potential interviewees

• Journalists should approach potential interviewees in a friendly and professional manner
• They should clearly identify themselves as members of the news media and explain the purpose of the interview
• It's important to respect people's right to decline participation and not pressure anyone to be interviewed

Screening for articulate responses

• When selecting participants, journalists should look for individuals who can provide clear and concise responses
• This may involve briefly chatting with potential interviewees to gauge their ability to articulate their thoughts
• While it's important to include diverse perspectives, journalists should prioritize participants who can effectively communicate their ideas

Conducting the interviews

• Conducting effective vox pop interviews requires a combination of skilled questioning, rapport-building, and technical proficiency
• Journalists must craft questions that elicit thoughtful responses while putting interviewees at ease
• Attention to framing, audio recording, and lighting is also crucial for capturing high-quality footage

Crafting effective questions

• Questions for vox pops should be clear, concise, and open-ended to encourage detailed responses
• Journalists should avoid leading questions that bias the interviewee's answer
• Example questions might include: "What are your thoughts on [issue]?" or "How has [event] affected you personally?"

Putting interviewees at ease

• Building rapport with interviewees is essential for capturing natural and authentic responses
• Journalists should start with friendly small talk and maintain a relaxed and approachable demeanor
• Using active listening skills and showing genuine interest in the interviewee's perspective can help create a comfortable atmosphere

Capturing natural responses

• To capture natural and unscripted responses, journalists should avoid rehearsing or coaching interviewees
• Encouraging interviewees to speak in their own words and at their own pace can help create more authentic soundbites
• If an interviewee stumbles or loses their train of thought, journalists can gently prompt them or ask a follow-up question

Technical considerations

• Producing high-quality vox pops requires attention to technical elements such as framing, audio recording, and lighting
• Proper technique in these areas can help create visually appealing and clearly audible interviews
• Journalists must also be prepared to adapt to challenging outdoor conditions and unpredictable environments

Framing and composition

• When framing vox pop shots, journalists should follow basic composition principles such as the rule of thirds
• Interviewees should be positioned at a flattering angle with minimal background distractions
• Including some environmental context in the shot can help establish the location and atmosphere of the interview

Audio recording techniques

• Clear audio is essential for vox pops, as the interviewee's voice is the primary focus
• Journalists should use high-quality microphones and monitor audio levels to ensure consistent sound
• In noisy environments, using a handheld microphone or lavalier mic can help isolate the interviewee's voice

Lighting for outdoor interviews

• Outdoor lighting conditions can be variable and challenging, especially in harsh sunlight or overcast weather
• Journalists should position interviewees to avoid harsh shadows or backlighting that can obscure facial features
• Using a reflector or portable light can help fill in shadows and create more even lighting on the interviewee's face

Editing vox pops

• Editing vox pops involves selecting the most compelling soundbites and creating a cohesive narrative
• Journalists must balance the need for concise, impactful quotes with maintaining context and accuracy
• Enhancing vox pops with B-roll footage can also help create visual interest and support the story's themes

Selecting compelling soundbites

• When editing vox pops, journalists should look for soundbites that are clear, concise, and emotionally resonant
• Soundbites should capture the essence of the interviewee's perspective and advance the story's narrative
• Journalists may need to condense longer responses or splice together non-consecutive quotes to create a coherent soundbite

Maintaining context and accuracy

• In the editing process, it's crucial to maintain the context and intended meaning of the interviewee's words
• Journalists should avoid selectively editing quotes in a way that misrepresents the interviewee's perspective
• If necessary, journalists can use reporter narration or on-screen text to provide additional context or clarification

Enhancing with B-roll footage

• B-roll footage, such as shots of the interview location or relevant visual aids, can help enhance the impact of vox pops
• This footage can provide visual interest and help illustrate the themes or issues discussed in the interviews
• When selecting B-roll, journalists should look for shots that are visually compelling and thematically relevant to the story

Ethical considerations

• Vox pops raise several ethical considerations that journalists must navigate, such as informed consent and avoiding bias
• Journalists have a responsibility to ensure that participants understand the nature and purpose of the interview
• It's also crucial to strive for balance and represent a diverse range of viewpoints in the final story

Informed consent and permission

• Before conducting a vox pop interview, journalists must obtain informed consent from the participant
• This involves clearly explaining the purpose of the interview, how the footage will be used, and any potential risks or consequences
• Journalists should also obtain written permission from the interviewee, especially if the footage will be broadcast or published

Avoiding leading questions

• Journalists must be careful to avoid asking leading questions that could bias the interviewee's response
• Leading questions, such as "Don't you think [issue] is a problem?" can pressure interviewees to give a particular answer
• Instead, journalists should use neutral, open-ended questions that allow interviewees to express their own opinions

Representing diverse viewpoints

• When editing vox pops, journalists have a responsibility to represent a diverse range of perspectives on the issue
• This may involve including dissenting or minority opinions, even if they do not align with the prevailing public sentiment
• Journalists should strive for balance and fairness in their representation of different viewpoints

Incorporating vox pops in stories

• Vox pops can be incorporated into news stories and packages in a variety of ways, depending on the context and purpose
• They can be used as standalone segments to gauge public opinion or integrated with reporter narration to provide supporting evidence
• Vox pops can also be used to complement other story elements, such as expert interviews or data analysis

Using as a standalone segment

• In some cases, vox pops may be used as a standalone segment to provide a snapshot of public opinion on a particular issue
• These segments, often called "man-on-the-street" interviews, can be used to introduce a topic or provide a quick update on a developing story
• Standalone vox pop segments typically feature a montage of interviews with a diverse range of people, edited together to showcase different perspectives

Integrating with reporter narration

• Vox pops can also be integrated into a larger news package, with the reporter's narration providing context and analysis
• In this case, the vox pops serve as supporting evidence or illustrations of the story's main themes
• The reporter might introduce a vox pop clip with a line like "We spoke to local residents about the issue, and here's what they had to say..."

Complementing other story elements

• Vox pops can be used to complement other elements of a news story, such as expert interviews, data visualizations, or on-the-ground reporting
• For example, a story about a new public policy might feature vox pops to show how the policy is affecting ordinary people, alongside interviews with policymakers and experts
• Used in this way, vox pops can help provide a well-rounded and multi-faceted exploration of a complex issue

Vox pops vs scientific polls

• While vox pops can provide valuable insights into public opinion, they differ significantly from scientific polls and surveys
• It's important for journalists to understand these differences and interpret vox pop results with appropriate caution
• Vox pops should be used to complement, rather than replace, more rigorous forms of public opinion research

Differences in methodology

• Scientific polls and surveys use carefully designed sampling methods to ensure that the results are representative of the larger population
• Vox pops, on the other hand, rely on convenience sampling and may not capture a truly random or representative sample
• Scientific polls also use standardized questionnaires and data analysis techniques to minimize bias and ensure reliability

Limitations of vox pops

• Due to their non-scientific methodology, vox pops have several limitations that journalists must keep in mind
• The small sample size and non-random selection of participants means that vox pops cannot be generalized to the larger population
• Vox pops may also be subject to selection bias, as journalists may consciously or unconsciously gravitate towards certain types of respondents

Interpreting results cautiously

• When reporting on vox pops, journalists should be careful not to overstate the significance or representativeness of the results
• Vox pops should be presented as anecdotal evidence or illustrations of public sentiment, rather than definitive proof of majority opinion
• Journalists should also provide appropriate context and caveats when discussing vox pop results, reminding viewers that they are not scientifically rigorous

Famous examples of vox pops

• Throughout the history of television news, there have been many memorable and impactful examples of vox pops
• Some vox pops have become iconic moments in journalism, capturing the zeitgeist of a particular time or place
• In the social media age, vox pops have also taken on new forms and reached wider audiences through viral sharing and remix culture

Iconic interviews in history

• One famous example of a vox pop is the "flower power" interview during the 1967 March on the Pentagon, where a young protester placed a flower in the barrel of a National Guardsman's rifle
• Another iconic vox pop moment occurred during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, where a young man named Yippie confronted journalist Mike Wallace about media bias and the Vietnam War
• These interviews have become lasting symbols of the cultural and political tensions of the 1960s era

Viral vox pops in social media

• In recent years, vox pops have often gone viral on social media platforms, reaching millions of viewers beyond their original broadcast
• One example is the "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That" interview, where a woman named Sweet Brown gave a humorous and memorable account of a fire in her apartment complex
• Another viral vox pop moment occurred during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, where a man named Ken Bone asked a question during a debate and became an internet sensation due to his red sweater and earnest demeanor

Effective use in documentaries

• Vox pops have also been used to great effect in documentary filmmaking, providing a powerful way to explore social issues and capture diverse perspectives
• The documentary "Man on Wire" features vox pops with New Yorkers reacting to Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, adding a layer of cultural context to the story
• In the documentary "13th," director Ava DuVernay uses vox pops to explore the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, giving voice to those directly impacted by these issues