Media get punked, but don't regret the error

Yesterday NZPA reported David Fane had resigned over racist remarks he made at a comedy roast on Wednesday night. Unfortunately NZPA had been punked by someone pretending to be Fane.

The original story mysteriously disappeared off a number of websites with no explanation the original story had been a hoax.

The incident follows two fake press releases that were distributed by PRNewswire and Business Wire last week. The releases targeted General Mills and Javelin Pharmaceuticals, two publicly-traded multinational corporations.

The two releases appear to be linked as both contained the same New Zealand cell phone number.

Earlier this month the same number was given out with a false report that Susan Boyle would be performing a number of concerts throughout New Zealand.