Fake News Release Makes News

This is an example of how easily and quickly agenda-driven fake news can spin out of control and mislead people around the globe in today’s digital era – a phony press release at the climate talks in Copenhagen announcing that Canada plans bold and ambitious steps to control greenhouse gas emissions.

The authentic-looking release not only caught Canadian government leaders off-guard but it landed on a fake Wall Street Journal blog. It was all part of an elaborate ruse by climate protesters to embarrass Canada during the negotiations in Copenhagen.

But, there was more …

The prank continued with another legitimate-looking statement online from Environment Canada attempting to contain the damage:

“One hour ago, a spoof press release targeted Canada in order to generate hurtful rumours and mislead the Conference of Parties on Canada’s positions on climate change, and to damage Canada’s standing with the international business community.”

It says that the fake release was “unfortunately” reported in major international outlets. It says the targets and all statements in the release are “unequivocally false.” But that follow-up statement, too, proved to be a fake.

The fake press release, the subsequent phony statement … it was ALL a plan of a clever plan of fake news to capture real media attention … and, it worked.

To make matters even worse, the Ugandan delegate to the climate talks was taken-in by the fake news and reacted by praising Canada for its new position. Her remarks have shown up on a United Nations Web site.

What troubles me is that others likely will pull similar copycat stunts of using phony news to trick people, including the media, and generate exposure. Then, who can we believe?

Incidentally, the misleading Web site – enviro-canada.ca – is registered to a suspicious-looking name – “Morton Subotnils Esq” – in “Abingingdon Massachusetts.” Of course, there is no such town and probably no such person.

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Tags: fake news