Our weekly (mostly) look at media spin tactics: let’s dissect the PR and propaganda that aims to blow one’s own horn, bury one’s errors, resurrect the shambling zombie corpses of well-flogged deceased equines, and ooh look! A Big Distracting Thing!
So, what are the talking points being trotted out this week? What do they hope to distract us with? What line do they want us to buy? What have they been sitting on especially to quietly slide out during the particular distractions of our long weekend?
Please note – this thread’s just for the analysis of media manoeuvres and their intended effects – discussion of other aspects of issues of interest belongs elsewhere. e.g. browse the archives | roundtables | open thread
I always thought that the jet stream, in this case carrying volcanic ash from Chili, traveled east. How then are the illustrations shown in the Age indicating , and described on ABC news 24, the ash traveled to the west across the pacific? Has the spin changed?
Ha ha ! Joe O’Brien, News 24 has just declared, after the Darwin volcanic ash advisory center sent graphics, that the ash had “taken the long way round”.
Just to add to any comment on Abbott’s trip to Nauru. The way Coalition members and their supporters talk you’d think that their “Nauruan Response” was some clinical precise policy studiously thought through. In David Marr’s book ‘Dark Victory’ he claims that when PM John Howard phoned the PM (President?) of Nauru the island leader thought JH was almost at the point of tears such was his panic and desperation to ‘cut a deal’.
Abbott’s Naruan adventure is being spun as a diplomatic and strategic success. I just hope there is a journalist prepared to tell the truth about the desperate plight of Nauru with 90% unemployment, no industry, reliant on foreign aid, fresh water having to be shipped in, electricity rationed etc.
The Foreign Minister for Nauru said yesterday that any ‘assessment facility’ would need to be administered by the UNHCR who have said that they are not aware of any discussions at government level concerning the opening of a refugee facility on Nauru.
Let’s hope we get the facts.
Russ Basts doubt on the French claims that Gaddafi ordered mass rape.
http://whowhatwhy.com/2011/06/11/did-qaddafi-really-order-mass-rapes-or-is-the-west-falling-victim-to-a-viagra-strength-scam/
Sounds a lot like the claims that Saddam Hussein had a human threshing machine, or that Iraqi soldiers were taking babies from humidicribs in Kuwait. Both bogus claims were used to push the US into two war with Iraq, and these new claims are possibly intended to get the public onside for an invasion of Libya.
Gillard at 45% approval rating. How bad is it? According to Janet Abrechtson
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/shrinking-gillard-is-out-of-step/story-e6frgd0x-1226075230299
What does that mean? Is it spin. Or is that that Julia is (reads off songsheet) finished. So finished that Alexander Downer is now seen as one of the gentlemen of politics.
An election must be held now etc etc blah blah.
Could someone please rescue one of my posts from the mod bin/spaminator? I think it’s because I posted a link that has the word “r*pe”in it.
I think this business about Nicola Roxon and the tobacco company invite is being spun out of all proportion by the ABC. Interesting it happens when Gillard is plummeting in the polls. Think ABC’s attitude is – oh, look! we have another stick to bash Labor with.-
OK. This is done. Over. We need no other spotlight the spin threads this year. We have a winner.
Seriously check out http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/fairfax-shows-how-not-to-run-a-serious-newspaper/story-e6frg71x-1226075919971
Thanks to Pure Poison for finding this. Amazing. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/06/16/the-funniest-least-self-aware-thing-weve-ever-read-in-the-australian/#comments
Tssk, that is even funnier if you read this. Definitely a case of do what I say and not what I do! (The author, Rowan Dean, is in the advertising industry, not journalism, and does a popular series of tobacco company ads.)
From our peripatetic visitor, Mr Denmore:
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/2011/06/stitch-up.html
Lovely, Fran.
But – are we facing a) Murdoch spin to gut Labor
b)Rudd spin to gut Gillard
c) ALPRightwing powerbrokers’ spin readying the ground to dump Gillard and put in a leader that will be acceptable to the faction
d)spin for a bring back Ruddy campaign.
Al I know is that when parliamentary party members start saying the leader has my complete and absolute loyalty the knives are really out.
I reckon the tobacco industry Nanny State adverts are spin. On their website they have kindly provided a letter you can send to oppose the plain paper packaging so I’ve slightly altered it and intend sending the following to my MP
“I’m an adult and I say YES to Plain Packaging Legislation
While many rules are necessary in a modern functioning society, there is a limit, however, the proposed Plain Packaging Legislation is quite simply regulation that puts the interests of the individual and society before those of the tobacco industry.
As an adult, I can make my own decisions but I am also aware of the pervasive effects of advertising and its ability to influence decisions. As such I fully support the legislation.
I strongly urge that in some instances a “Nanny State” is in the best interests of the public generally and ask that you represent my views to parliament.
Thank you.
All of the above, but the only party with any real power in the equation is a).
In light of the condemnation of the government’s position on refugees from both houses, Channel 7 and Channel 10 newsreaders have suggested a new election may be the way to go.
nah, let it run it’s just getting good!
we soon find out if tony abbott thinks malaysia is 100% inhumane or only 49% inhumane.
Paul I don’t think Rudd is in a rush for the big seat again. Besides. No matter what he says not matter what he does the press paint it as attacking Gillard.
FFS he could merely be in the same room with her just breathing, not doing anything else and the press would report is as
RUDD STEAL OXYGEN FROM ROOM DURING TALKS
TEMPERATURE RISES DURING HALLWAY PASS
RUDD’S PRESENCE BLOWS (CH)ILL WIND
tssk,
You might be right. Several contenders – Rudd, Smith, Shorten, Combet are all now being named for Gillard’s successor. Rudd and Smith are furiously denying it so its probably between those two. Yje tussle around Gillard’s leadership is definitely on IMO but its very very hard to sort out truth from spin. The fact that the story is Murdoch originated gives me little confidence in its general reliability, but something is certainly going on in the back rooms of the ALP re the leadership.
I do know one thing, though, if the Greek mess caascades into the rest of Europe then to the Us and causes another GFC, I’d much rather have Rudd as PM dealing with it than an incompetent Gillard or a heartless Abbott.