How to Spot Spin

I do think that the page of "rules" on SpinSpotter.com goes on to list some very crucial and valuable skills for journalists, but personally I feel uncomfortable relying on a computer alone to detect them for me.

In an article written by Alan Zagier for the Associated Press entitled "Former Microsoft exec's software takes aim at media bias," it includes a quote at the end that resonated with me from "blogger" and Salon co-founder Seth Rosenberg who says, "Even if SpinSpotter could somehow perfect its algorithms and unerringly remove all the human perspective and reporter's voice from the articles it points at, you'd find there's nothing of any value left."

Along this same idea, if some type of program were to completely rid news of perspective and bias, it would have the same feel as a fact sheet or press release. Computers could probably just generate news stories free of spin from input facts alone. However, I think that one of the reasons that there is a necessity for journalists in society is because there is something missing from basic facts formulated by computers. No one wants to read a newspaper full of press releases.

It seems as though SpinSpotter.com could be an interesting tool to use when reading or writing pieces for the sake of seeing another perspective or lens based on the computer generated spin trackings as well as the perspective of people who post their opinions on a piece. However, by stating it's mission to rid the journalistic world of spin seems to suggest that they fear the general public possesses no critical thinking abilities of their own. I would argue that most people know not to believe everything they read. I think especially today with the internet, there is a huge amount and variety of stories, information, and opinions at everyone's finger tips.

A little after visiting SpinSpotter, I decided to look at The New Yorker online. I came across the article in the Humor section entitled "My Gal" by George Saunders. Can you imagine what this piece would look like under "spinoculars"? It is absolutely filled with sarcasm and satire, and yet it is one of the best things I've read all day.

While I think think that there is a necessity for objective reporting and news reports based on facts instead of opinion, I would never want to rid journalism (because I do feel that this piece by Saunders fits into some sort of journalistic genre) completely of journalistic perspective. While I think that the intentions of this SpinSpotter are good, I'm not sure if the mission to erase spin is the answer. Spin isn't always a problem when it's transparent instead of disguised as objective journalism. But, I do think that SpinSpotter is an interesting experiment.



[Image found in The New Yorker by Steve Brodner]