Media - Spin, the spinners and the spun

A series by Ira Basen for CBC Radio's The Sunday Edition

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.

LINK: CBC News

• Episode 1: A century of spin How spin began. The rocky relationship between the press and public relations is now 100 years old.
  Download audio (Runs 51:32)
• Episode 2: The spindustrial revolution Countless "spindustries" have been spawned by our modern spin culture, including public relations, "earned media" and video news releases.
  Download audio (Runs 47:02)
• Episode 3: Calling Dr. Spin How far can political spin go? "Just watch me."
  Download audio (Runs 48:19)
• 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. Download audio (Runs 49:29)
• 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.
  Download audio (Runs 49:26)
• 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?
  Download audio (Runs 49:43)