A vox pop is a collection of short interviews with members of the public, interviews that reveal their knowledge and opinion on a specific topic. The purpose of a vox pop is to show your listeners that there is a range of opinion in their community on a particular topic.
In a farm radio context, a vox pop is a radio format that is usually used with other formats (for example, expert interview, accountability interview, panel discussion, research report) in a program that deals with a specific topic.
A vox pop can help broadcasters serve their listeners better because:
- listeners will want to learn more about the topic.
- listeners will hear a range of opinion on the topic.
- listeners will respect the broadcasters for interviewing people like them.
- listeners will be encouraged to speak out themselves.
Vox pops can help broadcasters produce better programs by:
- giving broadcasters a taste of the range of opinion, and possibly the trending of opinion, on a particular topic.
- stimulating listeners’ interest and preparing them for other material broadcasters have prepared on the same topic.
- providing clips that broadcasters can use to help obtain responses from officials, experts, or groups of farmers.
- exposing broadcasters to important minority points of view.
- adding variety to a program.
- helping listeners to understand that broadcasters want to know their opinions on important matters.
In this week’s resource, learn how to gather public comments and produce a vox pop.
Photo credit: Inoussa Maïga