Dian' to Share

There is an initiation into the journalism biz that we like to call Man on the Street (MOS for short).

The Man on the Street is an important element used in a newspaper to get a grasp on public opinion. Maybe you’ve seen it or been a part of it. We (reporters) stand around somewhere, walk up and ask you a question, ask for your name and snap a quick picture.

Those MOSes are published all together with your quotes and tiny pictures.

Simple, right?

WRONG!

The information is valuable, but getting it isn’t so easy.

The most outspoken, opinionated person suddenly clams up and becomes bashful when asked to put their name and face with their words. Because of this fact, editors often stick new reporters or interns with the task of putting together MOSes.

Since I’ve been covering the sheriff’s indictment and arrest in Lincoln County, I drew the short straw Tuesday and had to conduct a MOS. I realized once I was standing along East Main Street that it’s probably been two years since the last time I did a Man on the Street.

It hasn’t gotten easier.

People had great opinions to share but none of them wanted to give their names and they certainly didn’t have time to pause for a 10 second photo.

Because I can’t use nameless, faceless quotes, many of those won’t go in the newspaper. So, I’m going to share a few here.

The question: What do you think of the sheriff being arrested?

“I think it’s justice.”

“I don’t dabble in politics.”

“I think it’s a little asinine. If the other party was still in, this would have never happened.”

“I didn’t know until you told me.”

This mixture of men and women stopping by the post office Tuesday offered a variety of opinions… ones that’ll never make the paper. Not even my friendly tone and pearly smile could coax them to go on the record.

But the story goes on. And in a few months, we’ll all sit through another trial filled with law enforcement officers to find out if the sheriff is guilty or not. Hopefully he will be more forthcoming than the men on the street.

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