SettingsJournalistic hoaxes
2010 Georgian news report hoax
The 2010 Georgian news report hoax describes a fake news report, or mockumentary, aired by Georgian television station Imedi TV on 13 March 2010.
The 2010 Georgian news report hoax describes a fake news report, or mockumentary, aired by Georgian television station Imedi TV on 13 March 2010.
43-Man Squamish
43-Man Squamish is a fictional sport that was invented in issue #95 of MAD Magazine by George Woodbridge and Tom Koch.
43-Man Squamish is a fictional sport that was invented in issue #95 of MAD Magazine by George Woodbridge and Tom Koch.
Alexis Debat
Alexis Debat (b. 1977) is a French commentator on terrorism and national security issues, based in Washington D.C., USA. He worked as a reporter, consultant, and source for ABC News for six year...
Alexis Debat (b. 1977) is a French commentator on terrorism and national security issues, based in Washington D.C., USA. He worked as a reporter, consultant, and source for ABC News for six year...
Allegra Coleman
Allegra Coleman was a fictional celebrity invented by writer Martha Sherrill for the purposes of a hoax magazine article.
Allegra Coleman was a fictional celebrity invented by writer Martha Sherrill for the purposes of a hoax magazine article.
Balloon boy hoax
The balloon boy hoax occurred on October 15, 2009 in Fort Collins, Colorado, when Richard and Mayumi Heene allowed a gas balloon filled with helium to float away into the atmosphere, and then cl...
The balloon boy hoax occurred on October 15, 2009 in Fort Collins, Colorado, when Richard and Mayumi Heene allowed a gas balloon filled with helium to float away into the atmosphere, and then cl...
Bathtub hoax
The bathtub hoax was a famous hoax or practical joke perpetrated by the American journalist H. L. Mencken involving the publication of a fictitious history of the bathtub.
The bathtub hoax was a famous hoax or practical joke perpetrated by the American journalist H. L. Mencken involving the publication of a fictitious history of the bathtub.
Bjørn Benkow
Bjørn Leo Benkow (13 February 1940 – 17 February 2010) was a Norwegian journalist who became infamous for notoriously faking interviews with celebrities.
Bjørn Leo Benkow (13 February 1940 – 17 February 2010) was a Norwegian journalist who became infamous for notoriously faking interviews with celebrities.
Chinese cardboard bun hoax
The cardboard-bun hoax was reported in July 2007 on Beijing Television's BTV-7 (the Lifestyle Channel) as an alleged undercover story revealing that street vendors were adding cardboard to their...
The cardboard-bun hoax was reported in July 2007 on Beijing Television's BTV-7 (the Lifestyle Channel) as an alleged undercover story revealing that street vendors were adding cardboard to their...
Concordia (1696 ship)
The Concordia was a Dutch VOC sailing ship that left Batavia on 15 January 1708 with two other vessels, Zuiderburg and Mercurius.
The Concordia was a Dutch VOC sailing ship that left Batavia on 15 January 1708 with two other vessels, Zuiderburg and Mercurius.
Dark Side of the Moon (mockumentary)
Dark Side of the Moon is a French documentary by director William Karel which originally aired on Arte in 2002 with the title Opération Lune.
Dark Side of the Moon is a French documentary by director William Karel which originally aired on Arte in 2002 with the title Opération Lune.
David Lassman
David Lassman (born 1963) is a British author, arts journalist and scriptwriter responsible for the 'Rejecting Jane' article, which became the 'literary story of 2007'.
David Lassman (born 1963) is a British author, arts journalist and scriptwriter responsible for the 'Rejecting Jane' article, which became the 'literary story of 2007'.
David Manning (fictitious writer)
"David Manning" was a fictitious film critic, created by a marketing executive working for Sony Corporation around July 2000 to give consistently good reviews for releases from Sony subsidiary C...
"David Manning" was a fictitious film critic, created by a marketing executive working for Sony Corporation around July 2000 to give consistently good reviews for releases from Sony subsidiary C...
David Weiss (fictional person)
In March 2009, Haviv Rettig Gur was contacted by a man claiming to be David Weiss, captain in the Norwegian military.
In March 2009, Haviv Rettig Gur was contacted by a man claiming to be David Weiss, captain in the Norwegian military.
Faux Soir
Faux Soir was a spoof issue of the Belgian newspaper Le Soir published on 9 November 1943 by the Front de l'Indépendance, a Belgian resistance organisation.
Faux Soir was a spoof issue of the Belgian newspaper Le Soir published on 9 November 1943 by the Front de l'Indépendance, a Belgian resistance organisation.
Flemish Secession hoax
Tout ça, also called "The Flemish Secession Hoax," was a hoax perpetrated by the French speaking Belgian public TV station RTBF on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.
Tout ça, also called "The Flemish Secession Hoax," was a hoax perpetrated by the French speaking Belgian public TV station RTBF on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.
Great Moon Hoax
"The Great Moon Hoax" refers to a series of six articles that were published in the New York Sun beginning on August 25, 1835, about the supposed discovery of life and even civilization on t...
"The Great Moon Hoax" refers to a series of six articles that were published in the New York Sun beginning on August 25, 1835, about the supposed discovery of life and even civilization on t...
Great Wall of China hoax
The Great Wall of China hoax was a faked story, published in United States newspapers on June 25, 1899, about bids by American businesses to demolish the Great Wall of China and construct a road...
The Great Wall of China hoax was a faked story, published in United States newspapers on June 25, 1899, about bids by American businesses to demolish the Great Wall of China and construct a road...
Grunge speak
Grunge speak was a hoax created by Megan Jasper, receptionist for Sub Pop Records.
Grunge speak was a hoax created by Megan Jasper, receptionist for Sub Pop Records.
Harcourt interpolation
The Harcourt interpolation was a minor scandal of Victorian London.
The Harcourt interpolation was a minor scandal of Victorian London.
Hippo eats dwarf
Hippo eats dwarf is the title of a hoax news article which claims that a dwarf was accidentally eaten by a hippopotamus.
Hippo eats dwarf is the title of a hoax news article which claims that a dwarf was accidentally eaten by a hippopotamus.
Hitler Diaries
In April 1983, the West German news magazine Stern published excerpts from what purported to be the diaries of Adolf Hitler, known as the Hitler Diaries (Hitler-Tagebücher), which were subse...
In April 1983, the West German news magazine Stern published excerpts from what purported to be the diaries of Adolf Hitler, known as the Hitler Diaries (Hitler-Tagebücher), which were subse...
Hoax letter writers
This article covers various hoax letter writers.
This article covers various hoax letter writers.
Jack Kelley
Jack Kelley was a longtime USA Today reporter and nominee and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2002.
Jack Kelley was a longtime USA Today reporter and nominee and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2002.
Jafr alien invasion
The Jafr alien invasion was a story published on the front page of the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad on April 1st, 2010.
The Jafr alien invasion was a story published on the front page of the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad on April 1st, 2010.
Janet Cooke
Janet Leslie Cooke is an American former journalist who became infamous when it was discovered that a Pulitzer Prize–winning story that she had written for The Washington Post had been fabri...
Janet Leslie Cooke is an American former journalist who became infamous when it was discovered that a Pulitzer Prize–winning story that she had written for The Washington Post had been fabri...
Jayson Blair
Jayson Blair (born March 23, 1976) is an American journalist formerly with The New York Times.
Jayson Blair (born March 23, 1976) is an American journalist formerly with The New York Times.
Jovian-Plutonian gravitational effect
The Jovian–Plutonian gravitational effect, a hoax phenomenon stated to cause a noticeable short-term reduction in gravity on Earth, was an invention for April Fools' Day by the English astronome...
The Jovian–Plutonian gravitational effect, a hoax phenomenon stated to cause a noticeable short-term reduction in gravity on Earth, was an invention for April Fools' Day by the English astronome...
Kodee Kennings
Kodee Kennings was a fictional 8-year-old girl, supposedly the daughter of a U.S. Army soldier named Dan Kennings in post-invasion Iraq.
Kodee Kennings was a fictional 8-year-old girl, supposedly the daughter of a U.S. Army soldier named Dan Kennings in post-invasion Iraq.
Lucian Yahoo Dragoman
In January 2005, Romanian newspaper Libertatea reported the birth of Lucian Yahoo Dragoman, supposedly named after the web portal Yahoo.
In January 2005, Romanian newspaper Libertatea reported the birth of Lucian Yahoo Dragoman, supposedly named after the web portal Yahoo.
Martin Eisenstadt
The Martin Eisenstadt hoax is an elaborate scheme of filmmakers Dan Mirvish and Eitan Gorlin that involved the creation of a fictional "talking head", Martin Eisenstadt, who was quoted by numero...
The Martin Eisenstadt hoax is an elaborate scheme of filmmakers Dan Mirvish and Eitan Gorlin that involved the creation of a fictional "talking head", Martin Eisenstadt, who was quoted by numero...
Masal Bugduv
Masal Bugduv is a fictional Moldovan youth footballer who was the subject of a hoax.
Masal Bugduv is a fictional Moldovan youth footballer who was the subject of a hoax.
Michelle Delio
Michelle Delio is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in Wired News, InfoWorld, and MIT Technology Review.
Michelle Delio is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in Wired News, InfoWorld, and MIT Technology Review.
Order of the Occult Hand
The Order of the Occult Hand is a whimsical secret society of American journalists who have been able to slip the meaningless and telltale phrase "It was as if an occult hand had…" in print as a...
The Order of the Occult Hand is a whimsical secret society of American journalists who have been able to slip the meaningless and telltale phrase "It was as if an occult hand had…" in print as a...
Patricia Smith (poet)
Patricia Smith (born 1955) is an American poet, spoken word performer, playwright, author, writing teacher, and former journalist.
Patricia Smith (born 1955) is an American poet, spoken word performer, playwright, author, writing teacher, and former journalist.
Project Dawnstar
Project Dawnstar was the codename given to the "Flights to Mars for $99" April Fool's Day prank launched on both Expedia.com and Expedia.co.uk on April 1, 2009.
Project Dawnstar was the codename given to the "Flights to Mars for $99" April Fool's Day prank launched on both Expedia.com and Expedia.co.uk on April 1, 2009.
Roger Dodsworth (hoax)
Roger Dodsworth was the focus of a widespread hoax in 1826, in which he was claimed to be a man who had fallen into a coma in the Alps in the late seventeenth century and thawed out to return to...
Roger Dodsworth was the focus of a widespread hoax in 1826, in which he was claimed to be a man who had fallen into a coma in the Alps in the late seventeenth century and thawed out to return to...
Roger Dodsworth (story)
Roger Dodsworth was the focus of a widespread hoax in 1826, in which he was claimed to be a man who had fallen into a coma in the Alps in the late seventeenth century and thawed out to return to...
Roger Dodsworth was the focus of a widespread hoax in 1826, in which he was claimed to be a man who had fallen into a coma in the Alps in the late seventeenth century and thawed out to return to...
San Serriffe
San Serriffe is a fictional island nation created for April Fools' Day, 1977, by Britain's Guardian newspaper.
San Serriffe is a fictional island nation created for April Fools' Day, 1977, by Britain's Guardian newspaper.
Second Class Male/Time To Go
"Second Class Male" and "Time To Go" were a series of 12 spoof newspaper columns written by Chris Morris and Robert Katz under the pseudonym Richard Geefe in The Observer in 1999.
"Second Class Male" and "Time To Go" were a series of 12 spoof newspaper columns written by Chris Morris and Robert Katz under the pseudonym Richard Geefe in The Observer in 1999.
Selling Hitler
Selling Hitler is a 1991 ITV television drama-documentary mini-series about the Hitler Diaries hoax and was based on Robert Harris's 1986 book Selling Hitler: The Story of the Hitler Diaries.
Selling Hitler is a 1991 ITV television drama-documentary mini-series about the Hitler Diaries hoax and was based on Robert Harris's 1986 book Selling Hitler: The Story of the Hitler Diaries.
Sidd Finch
Sidd Finch was a fictional baseball player, the subject of the notorious article and April Fools' Day hoax "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch" written by George Plimpton and first published in the ...
Sidd Finch was a fictional baseball player, the subject of the notorious article and April Fools' Day hoax "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch" written by George Plimpton and first published in the ...
Stephen Glass (reporter)
Stephen Randall Glass is a former US journalist who came to prominence when it was uncovered he had fabricated a number of magazine articles in 1998.
Stephen Randall Glass is a former US journalist who came to prominence when it was uncovered he had fabricated a number of magazine articles in 1998.
Sungods in Exile
Sungods in Exile is a book published pseudonymously in 1978 under the name David Agamon, allegedly from the notes of a Dr Karyl Robin-Evans whom Agamon claimed was a professor at Oxford Univ...
Sungods in Exile is a book published pseudonymously in 1978 under the name David Agamon, allegedly from the notes of a Dr Karyl Robin-Evans whom Agamon claimed was a professor at Oxford Univ...
Thatchergate
Thatchergate was the colloquial title of a hoax perpetrated by members of the anarcho-punk band Crass during the aftermath of the 1982 Falklands War.
Thatchergate was the colloquial title of a hoax perpetrated by members of the anarcho-punk band Crass during the aftermath of the 1982 Falklands War.
The Balloon-Hoax
"The Balloon-Hoax" is the title used in collections and anthologies of a newspaper article written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1844.
"The Balloon-Hoax" is the title used in collections and anthologies of a newspaper article written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1844.
The English Mercurie
The English Mercurie is a literary hoax purporting to be the first English newspaper.
The English Mercurie is a literary hoax purporting to be the first English newspaper.
The New York Zoo hoax
The New York Zoo hoax is also known as The Central Park Zoo Escape and the Central Park Menagerie Scare of 1874.
The New York Zoo hoax is also known as The Central Park Zoo Escape and the Central Park Menagerie Scare of 1874.
The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall
"The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" (1835) is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in the June 1835 issue of the monthly magazine Southern Literary Messenger, and intended ...
"The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" (1835) is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in the June 1835 issue of the monthly magazine Southern Literary Messenger, and intended ...