War Spin

The first lesson of the module "Contemporary Theory and Issues in Public Relations" was about spinning during war times. 

Terry Lloyd, journalist who reported from Iraq

In times of war, governments want to have public opinion in favour. This is why it is important to show a positive image of their actions. Spin during war times has long been used but the most recent and clear example is the Iraq War. 

During the Iraqi War thousands of journalists travelled to Iraq as embedded journalists to report from the first war line. However, the allies tried to manipulate the journalists from the very beginning by providing them with the information they wanted, by not answering some questions which could put them in a bad position, by keeping hundreds of journalists away from the front line and just receiving information from TV channels, etc. 

José Couso, cameraman who died during the Iraq War

But this is simply propaganda. The sole purpose of this was to keep a good image of the allies throughout the war. They used the media, one of the most trusted channels of information by the public, to place themselves as the “savers” and demonise the Iraqi Government.

The use of PR during war times leads usually to spin, persuasion and propaganda. As future PR practitioners we should think about the boundaries of our job, if we lie or hide the truth to protect our client and if it is ethical to use other professionals to spread what we want to be believed. 

For more information realted to War Spin visit the following links:
- BBC News: 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/3028585.stm
- Time: 
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1004965-1,00.html
- Blog of a University of Westminster student:
http://contemporarypr.blogspot.com/2010/01/war-spin-pr-and-propaganda.html