As a student of journalism and law, I've heard professors, practitioners, and fellow students expound on various definitions of what is and isn't "truth." I've heard idealistic journalists say, "truth is what lies beyond the spin," and I've heard cynical lawyers say, "truth is whatever is good for my client." I don't think either is representative of the beliefs of all journalists or lawyers, and I don't think either is 100% accurate. Sometimes the truth lies right in the midst of the spin, and quite often truth and what's good for one's client are completely divorced from one another.
But these two definitions, put together, make for a good rule of thumb, whether you're a journalist or lawyer. Getting beyond the spin means asking what facts are not immediately within the interests the person you're talking to. If you're a good journalist or a good lawyer you'll endeavor to find those things out.
This requires skepticism and digging.