In Depth
Spin Cycles
Spin, the spinners and the spun
A series by Ira Basen for CBC Radio's The Sunday Edition
July 3, 2007
CBC News
Spin Cycles is a radio series by CBC producer Ira Basen about how those in power can manipulate facts in order to make their case for the rest of us.
The series explores the world of politics, big business, advertising and public relations to find the real message behind all that spin.
Spin Cycles is scheduled for rebroadcast on The Sunday Edition this summer, starting July 8 at 10:00 a.m. and continuing every Sunday until Aug. 12.
Spin Cycles
- Episode 1: A century of spin
How spin began. The rocky relationship between the press and public relations is now 100 years old.- Episode 2: The spindustrial revolution
Countless "spindustries" have been spawned by our modern spin culture, including public relations, "earned media" and video news releases.- Episode 3: Calling Dr. Spin
How far can political spin go? "Just watch me."- Episode 4: The spin doctor is in
Twenty-four-hour TV news, increased competition in newspapers, the shrinking news cycle … they've all played a part in changing the way Canadian politics is covered. And in most cases, it's the spin doctors who have gained the upper hand.- Episode 5: Spinning war
Governments have long relied on stagecraft, spin and other tools of public relations to sell war on the home front. And they've also become increasingly sophisticated at using the press to accomplish that objective.- Episode 6: Spinning into the 21st century
The dawn of the internet age poses significant new challenges for the press and PR. Will either even matter any longer in a world where people can create their own media. What will be the future of spin?
