Joe Gandelman at The Moderate Voice has written a post that discusses spin versus reporting from his perspective as a former reporter who knows personally someone involved in a case of a spin-attack on actual reporting where a political group linked a reporter/editorialist to editorials he did not write.

Hmmm, am I the only one who does the math on this one?

One of the key sections (including a quote from a Knight Ridder article) to entice you to reading the entire post:

On the radio, on the Internet, on cable television and in print, partisans on both sides attack any news reporting that fails to advance their agendas or confirm their biases. Zealous partisans in both major parties have adopted a “with us or against us” attitude. It’s not only unhealthy but also, I believe, dangerous.

Our job is to be neither with them nor against them. It’s to find out the facts, as best we can, and to report them as fully, fairly and accurately as we can.

Yes, that’s what a reporter is supposed to do. And, yes, it is not a perfect world. But imperfection - an error here and there - is different from people who want to make sure that only spin reaches the uppermost consciousness of the American public and anything detrimental to “their team” must be immediately discredited…partly by going after whomever dares to write an unflattering piece or portrayal.

If you want to be more than another member of the herd that those in power are trying to manipulate, I suggest you read his entire post and take the time and spend the effort to think about it.

Technorati Tags: recommended reading, spin, politics, reporting, the press