Many other news outlets have been fooled by pranksters. Here are a few cases from the Romenesko Archives:
Oneonta Daily Star falls for student’s spring break war story (2003)
The Oneonta Daily Star ran a front-page story about a 27-year-old college student who claimed to have trained Iraq-bound military police during his spring break. The Daily Star says today the student made up the story. Oneonta police called Hartwick College after seeing a photo of Rob Williams holding what he described as an Army-issued M-4 assault rifle in his dorm room.
St. Augustine Record is fooled by a Ringo Starr look-alike (2004)
The paper reported: “The world-famous drummer for The Beatles toured the Lightner Museum without fanfare, played the piano in the ballroom of the Casa Monica Hotel without drawing a crowd and politely said, ‘No comment, no comment’ to St. Augustine Record reporters and photographers.”
Trentonian, others fall for radio station’s Ryan Seacrest stunt (2006)
“We were scammed,” admits Trentonian editor Carl Barbati, who reported that “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest had stormed out of a radio station studio after being pressed about his sexual orientation. The radio station now says it was a hoax.
More hoaxes after the jump.
Fresno Bee fooled by women’s goofy goldfish reunion tale (2007)
The Bee reported that Bernadette Planting was reunited with her pet goldfish, Charley, after being found on Lori Igasan’s front lawn more than a mile away. The Bee says today that the women made up the story. “We’re disappointed that these ladies weren’t honest, and disappointed that we didn’t catch the hoax,” says executive editor Betsy Lumbye.
Man claiming to be “Yo-Yo Champ” fools at least five TV stations (2010)
“He got us,” says KQTV (St. Joseph, Mo.) news director Bridget Blevins. “I hate that we got duped.” In one appearance, Kenny Strasser said he forgot the string for his yo-yo and spent the live segment chit-chatting with the hosts.
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