Politicians and the News Media; A Match Made in Heaven?

I find this excerpt from the excellent blog 'SpinWatch.org' really interesting. So far I've only written about spin originating from the political elites (i.e. political parties) themselves. So I've been thinking more about how the PR people (i.e publicists)of politicians may disseminate targeted, tailored messages instead of truthful, accurate and complete information. However what about politicians using or working with the news media to produce 'spin'? I think this excerpt makes an interesting point;

"There is probably a questionable relationship between the government and news media in almost every country in the world. It might be blatant state control -- outright censorship -- where a government decides precisely what journalists can and cannot say. On the other hand there could be an equally manipulative arrangement which is not obvious to the public. It is these often hidden relationships which can be so insidious in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America where media proprietors are quite prepared to use their newspapers, radio and television stations -- and now their websites -- to exercise political patronage and to influence the outcome of elections. "

Doesn't this further undermine the citizen's rights? If politicians do work with the news media, the supposed 'fourth estate' to get their messages across , they are not only not fulfilling their duty to provide complete and truthful information but are also subverting the important role of the news media, to report unbiased, truthful and complete news of importance to the public, thus doubly undermining the public's democratic right to truthful information. I will investigate the relationship between politicians and the news media further in upcoming posts.

For more on the SpinWatch story visit this link;
http://www.spinwatch.org/blogs-mainmenu-29/nicholas-jones-mainmenu-85/5199-is-cameron-cosying-up-to-murdoch-with-his-bbc-bashing