Mainstream Media Soft-Pedaled Mosul Airstrike Headlines, Critics Charge

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2017 "[L]eading news networks went out of their way to craft some of the most euphemistic headlines imaginable," a Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting article says about the recent U.S.-led attacks that killed hundreds of Iraqis. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Jobs Report ‘Truthers,’ Romney Cheating Allegations, and More

Tracy Bloom / Truthdig Oct 6, 2012 A look at the day's political happenings, including Mitt Romney apologizing to nearly half of America, Justice Scalia weighing in on abortion and gay rights, and the horrendous thing Rick Santorum wants to do to Big Bird. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Let’s Not Spin the Civil War

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Dec 27, 2010 The Civil War is about to loom very large in the popular memory. We would do well to be candid about its causes and not allow the distortions of contemporary politics or long-standing myths to cloud our understanding of why the nation fell apart. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Wendell Potter on ‘Deadly Spin’

Staff / Truthdig Dec 1, 2010 The health industry spinmaster-turned-whistle-blower says the consumer is funding the industry's smear campaigns: "A big portion of what we spend or pay in premiums is skimmed off to operate and conduct these fear-mongering and anger-mongering campaigns." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Get Ready for the GOP’s New Talking Points

Staff / Truthdig Feb 2, 2010 Certain vigilant operatives from the blogosphere have caught wind of some key words and phrases that we might soon be hearing on Fox News, as Republican pollster and memo composer Frank Luntz has let fly with his latest manifesto on how to spin the news about happenings on Capitol Hill to the GOP's advantage. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pentagon Propaganda Is Booming

Staff / Truthdig Feb 6, 2009 The military's spin budget -- covering recruitment, advertising and public relations -- has jumped 63 percent over the last five years, to $4.7 billion, according to a yearlong investigation by the Associated Press. The Pentagon pays nearly as many people to influence public opinion as the State Department has in its entire work force. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

CNN’s Sanchez Shuts Down McCain Spokesman

Staff / Truthdig Oct 31, 2008 My goodness, those CNN anchors are getting feisty in these final days of the election season! Take Rick Sanchez here, who doesn't give McCain aide Michael Goldfarb an inch when it comes to his claims about Obama's alleged anti-Semite acquaintances. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Software Scans for Spin in Speeches

Staff / Truthdig Sep 18, 2008 Humans may be susceptible to methods of persuasion that play on the emotions and circumvent logic, but computers are another story. Enter a software program that purports to detect "spin" in politicians' speeches by using a complex (albeit man-made) algorithm to hunt for truth-stretching words and phrases. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Real Operation to ‘Rescue’ Ingrid Betancourt

Staff / Truthdig Jul 9, 2008 The July 2nd rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and U.S. mercenaries employed by the Northrop Grumman Corp. was heralded as a dramatic victory over the anti-imperial FARC guerrilla forces in Colombia. The real story may be significantly less daring. The mainstream media's heroic rescue narrative is being contradicted by claims that a $20-million ransom payment was made. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

General Happy Swellspin

Mark Fiore / Truthdig May 9, 2008 Dig deeper

Petraeus and Crocker Report to Congress

Staff / Truthdig Sep 11, 2007 Why bother with transcripts when you can watch Bush's top Iraq officials spin the "surge" in living color? Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker have their Iraq assessments ready, for your viewing pleasure. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

You Say Chaos, I Say Accountability

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Aug 28, 2007 The GOP spin machine is revving up with the news of Alberto Gonzales' departure. Some Republicans are suggesting that tracking down wrongdoing in Gonzales' Justice Department would bring not peace but extreme disruption. In other words: Can't we all be buddies and forget these trivialities? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )