JUNGLE DRUM: The Sultans of Spin
LAWRENCE MASON COLUMN
First apologies to Dire Straits. Yeah I know it is 'swing' not 'spin' but that's what came into my head.
I don't remember either the term 'spin doctor' or any 'media officers' in my childhood. Maybe some pollies or governments had them, but they were certainly not known. The seeds were there I guess, the Kerry Packers of the world were certainly learning how to create a narrative. Prior to that nonsense narratives were the purvey of wartime governments, not states or minor local councils.
As a result I would argue we largely trusted local authorities. In matters of health, policing, and local laws we mostly listened to our 'Shire Clerk', our 'Head Doctor' and our 'local Sergeant'. And these people were not verbose, mostly shunning the media if possible.
I am not sure when things changed, and I guess it was gradual. Peter Beattie was the first Premier that I can recall who seemed to have media advice. Locally I guess it was when Tony Mijo's Council was widely known to have the ear of the Douglas Times, while the Gazette was the Greenie opposition.
But the turn of the century saw spin taken to a whole new level. Governments spent more and more time 'putting makeup on' to try and look good. Mere updates on simple three Rs stuff (roads, rubbish and rates) used tabloid language and read like a headline. Who can forget the DSC's love affair with the word 'emergent'?
More recently a worrying trend has developed where Councils, and elected officials don't allow comments, perhaps mistakenly believing that we will all think: 'Wow, nobody disagrees, this idea is amazing'. Disagree with the Member for Cairns and see how long you last!
And of course this led to the whole sorry COVID affair where the nonsense was spun to a fever pitch. And that leads me to the point of this week's story; this spin, particularly where no dissent is allowed, is plain dangerous.
The number of people not vaccinating at all is much higher now simply because of the COVID lies. And that is the tip of the iceberg.
Being able to challenge ideas is how we collectively get better. Yes, I know some people are rude when they challenge, but those people are out there everywhere, on the road, in queues, and at restaurants. We deal with them there so online is just another place to come to terms with the odd nasty pasty. Most comments are not mean, just different opinions. And you can block the people who play the man, not the ball.
If the spin doctor writing government stories on Facebook or Insta knows that what they write can be challenged, I would argue we would receive better quality information. Ditto for Councillors or other pollies; if you write rubbish people will call you out for it. Really, pollies should be responding to some key points, setting the record straight if need be. Not cowering behind turned off comments.
Sadly, our Federal government would like us to go the way of the UK, where you can get locked up for negative comments. George Orwell must be proud.
Locally I urge our elected officials and 'spin doctors' to do better. Tell us the truth. Engage us to HELP you help us. Don't treat us like idiots.
Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.
- The opinions and views in this column are those of the author and author only and do not reflect the Newsport editor or staff.