Monday, December 14, 2009

Edmonton Radio Station Pranked By Climate Hoaxers?

As you probably know by now, Canada was subject this morning to a very elaborate (and quite wonderful) hoax in Copenhagen, wherein a fake press release from Environment Canada went out saying that Canada would be making much stronger commitments than originally claimed. This was followed by a fake news conference by the (fake) Ugandon delegation, and links to a fake online Wall Street Journal with a fake story by a fake journalist named Gustav Rainer.

Did I say these were all fake? Well, it looks like 880 AM out of Edmonton got rooked particularly hard, for it appears that they contacted/were contacted by "Mr. Rainer" and did an interview with him:

Gustav Rainer is a freelance journalist with the Wall Street Journal. He was the writer in Copenhagen who penned the story that Ottawa was prepared to meet new emission reduction targets, and provide billions in aid to help poor countries in this regard. The email Rainer says he received even quoted Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

It turns out the information Rainer received was a hoax. He put up a brave front, while a guest of 630 CHED's Dave Rutherford Monday morning.

"Yes I wrote it," said Rainer. "I've been freelancing for the Wall Street Journal, but unfortunately, I think it'll be the last time I do."


Rainer says he is, however, disappointed the information was fake, adding a number of reporters in Copenhagen have been hoping for an announcement like this to happen.

Suckered out in the oil patch! Interviewing one of the hoaxers and not catching on! But on the other hand, whoever is behind this stunt gets a 10 for technical excellence.

9 comments:

Ti-Guy said...

You can imagine the Connies all "going Carrie" just after being soaked with pig's blood after this.

Note to the World: Those Canadians you meet who *don't* have a sense of humour? They're Albertans.

CanuckRover said...

You forgot to mention the best part: The fake news release about the fake news release.

Holly Stick said...

Doesn't Dave Rutherford have climate change denialists on his show often? Doles he have anyone on who is NOT a fake?

Anonymous said...
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Robert G. Harvie, Q.C. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robert G. Harvie, Q.C. said...

TG.. I don't know, I think Alberta bloggers have a great sense of humour..

http://bigcitylibsb.blogspot.com/

Ti-Guy said...

TG.. I don't know, I think Alberta bloggers have a great sense of humour..

http://bigcitylibsb.blogspot.com/


Q effin' ED.

There are only two funny Albertans: Jann Arden and kd lang. Three if you count that one stand-up comedian there...what's-his-name.

Lars said...

I don't think that this is quite fair. Calgarians, at least, have an excellent sense of humour, but it's so low-key that a lot of people miss it. Take Rob Anders, for instance. Can you offhand think of a better joke at the expense of the democratic process? Some pretty subtle post-modern irony going on here.

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