Hot topics - The art of the spin doctors
Since its first appearance in 1984, the term “spin doctor” has been used to describe the public relations professionals who reinvent the truth in order to present their clients in the most favorable and flattering light. Putting a positive spin on events has long been a traditional part of public relations, but “spin” is cynically perceived as a form of propaganda: biased, manipulative and deceptive. The culture of spin is a response to the possibilities offered by global telecommunications and the demands of a political environment in which media coverage is a crucial element of public opinion. Sociologists see the rise of spin as a real problem for democracy because its “pernicious influence” in political campaigns and corporate strategies masks transparency and provides the public with distorted information.
The art of the spin doctors is the subject of Global Spin, by Professor Sharon Beder of the University of Wollongong’s School of Social Science. Following Professor Beder’s introduction to the Politics of Spin at the State Library of Queensland on 2 May 2007, this Hot Topic explores the world of spin, its infiltration into our everyday lives and the efforts of those who seek to mediate its influence.
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- Labor conference a scripted affair from Canberra Times, 28 April 2007
- They lied, Jessica : suprise, surprise from Canberra Times, 28 April 2007
- The dark path to a secret state Freedom sqeezed from Gold Coast Bulletin, 28 April 2007
- Tintin Kevin and the real cost of Labor's rhetoric from Canberra Times, 26 April 2007
- Realitics behind casting your vote from Geelong Advertiser, 26 April 2007
- The first casualty of war is the truth...' - ANZAC DAY from The Age (Melbourne), 25 April 2007
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For further information on spin doctors visit the following online resources and websites:
Under (spin) doctor’s orders [new window http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/20/1097951764549.html] A list of the activities central to the business of spin doctoring.
Spinwatch [new window http://www.spinwatch.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/] A website devoted to monitoring and exposing PR distortions and spin in the media.
Media manipulation [new window http://www.globalissues.org/HumanRights/Media/Manipulation.asp] This website examines the various modes of media manipulation, including public relations, fake news and propaganda.
Battling with the spin doctors [new window http://www.cpu.org.uk/sydney_2005/forum/publication11.html]
Campbell Reid, editor of the Daily Telegraph, offers advice to journalists about how to avoid becoming the spin doctor’s “patients”.
CSIRO bows to the spin doctors [new window http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=3568] This article argues that CSIRO’s new media restrictions are founded on the same avoidance of public scrutiny and spin that industry uses to deny the findings of science.
Scientists-as-spin-doctors [new window http://telicthoughts.com/scientists-as-spin-doctors/] Does the suggestion that scientists learn how to “frame” information to make it relevant to different audiences actually encourage scientists to come doctors of spin?
Nothing’s Shocking: mainstream media manipulation and the Gulf War [new window http://struggle.ws/issues/war/gulf_media.html] The article examines how the US Pentagon used the media to make Bush’s war option seem “plausible and attractive”.
Wikipedia defines history of public relations and spin.[new window http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_relations]
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Last updated: 11th September 2008
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