The article raises the issue of taking into account the addressee factor in cases of manipulation and analyses critical reaction of the readers expressed in their comments to on-line articles in the New York Times. It is shown that commenters oft en successfully detect spin in its various forms, such as double standards usage, concealing information, oversimplifying or direct lying. Moreover, some of them can turn the situation to their advantage, pointing out to spin with the aim of criticizing their political opponents and re-spinning in favour of the party they support. Refs 11. Table 1.