Crossword Genius

Heartless country's controlled messaging (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'controlled messaging' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'heartless country's' is the wordplay.
'heartless' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'country' becomes 'spain' (Spain is a country).
'spain' with its centre removed is 'SPIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spin that I've seen before include "Run second leg" , "This doctor is a political story-polisher" , "Rotate quickly" , "Wheel" , "Swift whirling motion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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