Spin (propaganda)

"Spin doctor" redirects here. For the rock band, see Spin Doctors.

In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing a biased interpretation of an event or campaigning to persuade public opinion in favor or against some organization or public figure. While traditional public relations and advertising may also rely on "creative" presentation of the facts, "spin" often implies the use of disingenuous, deceptive, and highly manipulative tactics.[1] Spin is typically applied to events or situations which are deemed to be unfavourable or potentially harmful to the popularity of a person, brand or product. As such, a standard approach used in "spinning" is to reframe, reposition, or otherwise modify the perception of an issue or event, to reduce any negative impact it might have on public opinion. For example, a company whose top-selling product is found to have a significant safety problem may "reframe" the issue by criticizing the safety of its main competitor's products, using a "catchy" slogan that can help to persuade the public of their point of view. This tactic could enable the company to defocus the public's attention on the negative aspects of its product. As it takes experience and training to "spin" an issue, spinning is typically a service provided by paid media advisors and media consultants. Politicians are often accused by their opponents of using deceptive "spin" tactics to manipulate public opinion. Large corporations with sophisticated public relations branches also engage in "spinning" information or events in their favor.

Terminology

The term has its origin in the old American expression "to spin a yarn". Sailors were known for using their spare time on board making thread or string (yarn) and also for telling incredible tales when they were back on shore. When someone fooled you, it was said that "he spun me an amazing yarn". Yarn also became a synonym for "tall tale" - "What a yarn!" means "what a lie."

Because of the frequent association between spin and press conferences (especially government press conferences), the room in which these take place is sometimes described as a "spin room".[2] Public relations advisors, pollsters and media consultants who develop deceptive or misleading messages may be referred to as "spin doctors" or "spinmeisters".

History

Edward Bernays has been called the "Father of Public Relations". As Larry Tye describes in his book The Father of Spin: Edward L. Bernays and The Birth of Public Relations, Bernays was able to help tobacco and alcohol companies use techniques to make certain behaviors more socially acceptable in 20th-century United States. Tye claims that Bernays was proud of his work as a propagandist.[3] As information technology has increased dramatically since the end of the 20th century, commentators like Joe Trippi have advanced the theory that modern Internet activism spells the end for political spin. By providing immediate counterpoint to every point a "spin doctor" can come up with, this theory suggests, the omnipresence of the Internet in some societies will inevitably lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of spin.[4]

Techniques

The techniques of spin include:

For years businesses have used fake or misleading customer testimonials by editing/spinning customers to reflect a much more satisfied experience than was actually the case. In 2009 the Federal Trade Commission updated their laws to include measures to prohibit this type of "spinning" and have been enforcing these laws as of late. Additionally, over the past 5 to 6 years several companies have arisen that verify the authenticity of the testimonials businesses present on the marketing materials in an effort to convince one to become a customer.

Fictional individuals

See also

References

  1. ↑ William Safire, "The Spinner Spun", New York Times, December 22, 1996.
  2. ↑ Michael, Powell. "Tit for Tat on a Night Where Spin Is Master," New York Times. February 22, 2008.
  3. ↑ Stauber, John and Sheldon Rampton. "Book Review: The Father of Spin: Edward L. Bernays & The Birth of PR by Larry Tye," PR Watch (Second Quarter 1999). Vol. 6, No. 2.
  4. ↑ Branigan, Tania, "Internet spells end for political spin, says US web guru", The Guardian. 12 June 2007.
  5. ↑ Staff. "Are these examples of political spin?". BBC Learning Zone. Clip 7265. 2013.
  6. 1 2 Weissman, Jerry. "Spin vs. Topspin". The Huffington Post. 19 June 2009.

Bibliography

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