In Rome, the feedback to the senate from the citizens of Rome, the voice from the masses was called, "Vox Populi" literally meaning the voice of the people.
Well established in broadcast journalism, the "vox populi" format is sometimes added for dramatic or comedic effect. ( ie. street interviews after a disaster add human drama to a tragedy, whereas Jay Leno's Man on the Street interviews add comic views to his show.) Usually the interviewees are shown in public places, and supposed to be giving spontaneous opinions in a chance encounter — As such, broadcast journalists almost always refer to them as man on the street interview or M.O.T.S.
Each person is asked the same question, the aim is to get a variety of answers and opinions on any given subject. Journalists are usually instructed to approach a wide range of people to get varied answers from different points of view. The Interviewees should be of various ages, genders, casts and communities so that the diverse views and reactions of the general people will be known. Generally, the question will be asked of different persons in different parts of streets or public places. But as an exception, in any specific topic or situation which is not concerned to general people, the question can be asked only in a specific group to know what the perception/reaction is of that group to the specific topic or issue, i.e., a question can be asked to a group of students about the quality of the education.
Here in this format, Mass Media Communications students will be asked to be the "man on the street" and to communicate views and opinions about the class and its lessons each week.
as such, the blog title is Vox vocis quantum populus "Voice of the Masses"
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10/16/2010
I think doing an interview like this would give spontaneous opinion or responses from all types of people. I believe this is a good way to get people view points of certain issues that are asked out to the public. Going out on the street to get peoples view points for mass media would be a good idea to get instant view points from people randomly on the street on what they think about certain subject. I also think that sometimes it would work and other times it wouldn’t work because of putting people on the spot could result to them not having an answer. An example question would be to ask about an election result for political offices or issues to hear people’s opinions. Overall I think you would have to be careful that you’re not getting biased and make sure the people you are interviewing are from different view points to get unbiased opinions.