What are spin doctors?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to navigationJump to search"Spin
doctor" redirects here. For the rock band, see Spin Doctors.Public figures use
press conferences so often as a way to control the timing and specificity of
their messages to the media that press conference facilities have been
nicknamed "spin rooms".In public relations and politics, spin is a form of
propaganda, achieved through knowingly providing a biased interpretation of an
event or campaigning to influence public opinion about some organization or
public figure. While traditional public relations and advertising may manage
their presentation of facts, "spin" often implies the use of disingenuous,
deceptive, and manipulative tactics.[1]Because of the frequent association
between spin and press conferences (especially government press conferences),
the room in which these conferences 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".A standard tactic used in "spinning" is to reframe or 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 or by highlighting the risk associated
with the entire product category. This might be done using a "catchy" slogan or
sound bite that can help to persuade the public of the company's biased point
of view. This tactic could enable the company to refocus the public's attention
away from the negative aspects of its product.
