Spin is a much more widespread phenomenon than the media would have the public believe. The worst part being that even journalists can be guilty of putting spin on a story. The only difference being that we call it news judgement. Let's face it, spin is nothing more than putting your side of the story. We conveniently forget to mention the negatives or, if we do, we play them down.
Every publication has an editorial policy.
The Globe and Mail is conservative. I shall never forget the gist of a picture caption The Globe and Mail ran when the NDP presented its first budget in Ontario. Of course, scientists and medics believe they are above the criticism of spin. If journalists believe that scientists do not have another agenda, they should think again. Being published is essential to the career of the academics, and publications are more interested in positive results than negative ones.