Spin (politics)

In politics and public relations spin refers to portraying an event or fact in a way that is favorable to you and unfavorable to your political opponents. This is called "putting a positive spin on a story" or just "spinning" the story.

Practitioners of spin are often referred to as spin doctors.

The techniques of spin include:

• selective quotation
• selective use of facts
• phrasing in a way that assumes unproven truths
• "burying" stories by releasing information at times when more important events dominate the news

Spin is effectively the techniques of "grey propaganda" applied to politics and PR.

See also:

• journalism
• public relations
• Edward L Bernays, father of public relations
• Bill O'Reilly
• media manipulation
• Disinfopedia
• soundbite
• censorship in the United States

External links:

• BBC news story: "We've too many spin doctors (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2118112.stm)"