Background: TVNZ Punked by Pro Whaling Campaigner
Tuesday June 8th. On TV1's Breakfast show C4 comedian Guy Williams pretended to be a pro-commercial whaling supporter named Jay Pryor.
Apparently Paul Henry clicked when “Pryor” didn't seem to know much about whaling, but that didn't stop the interview going out on air, which led to TVNZ releasing an apology after the story aired:
"As a result of this prank, Breakfast is reviewing its set-up interview procedures and apologises to viewers for the error," TVNZ said in a statement.
The statement said Mr Henry's suspicions were raised during the on-air interview because of the interviewee's lack of knowledge, despite a Breakfast producer having spoken to "Jay Pryor" the night before the interview and believing he was plausible.
While the interviewee was at TVNZ he had his photograph taken with Prime Minister, John Key who was also on Breakfast this morning.
"Mr Pryor" was also quoted in a pro-whaling article in the Sunday News.
Guy's interview as "Jay Pryor" (sound familiar anyone?!) a pro-whaling supporter, went big on YouTube and was picked up by many major NZ news networks before TVNZ ordered the clip to be taken down from YouTube.
Resources:
Listen – MediaWatch Podcast 13-6-10 – hoax segment (approx 8”)
Watch - Clip of Octo Egg – 3:55”
Watch - Clip of Whaling interview – 4:55”
C4 Website: TVNZ asked them to remove clip – they did but a blogger (Spare Room uploaded it to her site as well as other news media e.g. Nelson Mail)
The Octo-egg story
This isn't the first time (this week) Jono and the team caught out several mainstream media organisations, including Breakfast.
On Monday's episode of The Jono Project, Jono showed how he created a fake photo of an egg with 8 yolks. Read this story.
Who is Guy Williams?
You may remember Guy from Dai's Protege Project, which C4 ran on last year. Guy Williams bet out hundreds of up and coming comedians from around NZ to become Dai's Protege. He is now working for C4 (not the pro-commercial whaling committee!).
Group discussion points:
· How easy it is to appear credible - Guy was well presented, articulate, had a website (www.commercialwhaling.co.nz) and sent out a media release
· He was interviewed alongside the PM – NZ is a small country
· Old rules of journalism waived in preference for fast turnaround “news”
· Ease with which an online (global) presence can be established – everyone’s an expert
· Lack of research undertaken by time poor daily news media
· Penchant for the sensational in news media
Questions:
1. Do you think the C4 stunt was justified? Why or Why not?
2. Why is it important for the news media to always check their facts?
3. What are the implications of this type of stunt?
4. List 3 ways you will check credibility of information gathered for your research project