It is true that there exists an entire spin machine for every campaign or cause. And yes, pundits do work for the news organisations. Same goes for every major corporation in the world.
* gasp *
The key here is that we all know who they are, and know that they represent a particular view that they are pushing. It's all about transparency.
It isn't astroturfing unless you're pretending to be grassroots in the first place.
Confront any member of one of the online shouting societies and they will tell you they are speaking from deeply held personal beliefs, even if it's on an issue that they knew nothing about or held diametrically opposed views just a few hours before.
* gasp *
The key here is that we all know who they are, and know that they represent a particular view that they are pushing. It's all about transparency.
It isn't astroturfing unless you're pretending to be grassroots in the first place.