Vox populi

A Vox Pop (short for the Latin Vox populi, dt Voice of the People ) is a journalistic contribution in the form of an opinion poll. It mostly passers-by are interviewed about their opinion on a particular topic. The contribution form a Vox Pop is primarily used in radio and television use.

Form

A Vox Pop is a compilation of concise statements of opinion randomly selected persons (eg pedestrians on a pedestrian street with political subjects or participants in an event). The question is usually asked only once at the beginning of the Vox Pop at the Moderation of the contribution. The Vox Pop himself, then only consists of the responses of the respondents. Often in the post only the gist of the respondents is used so that in the Vox Pop results in a rapid Anreinanderreihung of buzzwords. If possible, care is taken a balanced ratio of men and women and the age groups that are also possible, alternately cut. On television, is also taken to ensure that respondents are alternately left and right of the picture.

Strengths and weaknesses

A Vox Pop is a rewarding means to underpin an issue with versatile opinions for a journalist. With a Vox Pop, a topic can be presented close to the people. The fact that the ordinary citizen has his say, the impression is at least given that it mattered to the journalist to present the subject as it is perceived by the general public. In Vox Pops, the report on the quality of events, a certain reliability is mediated by the diversity of opinion also. However, the journalist carried his question and the selection of responses used a strong design freedom; he may very well steer in a certain direction as a vox pop. In addition, can be exposed, for example, by careful selection of the most inappropriate responses people.