Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on
AlterNet, a left-leaning internet news site, has recently begun publishing clever fake news stories such as this report on an alleged memo detailing plans by the World Trade Organization "to remake its image, trading in the persona of global tyrant for that of a 'hip,' 'with it' agent of change." Among the proposals: launching a WTO line of trendy, youth-targeted fashion accessories; arranging "product placements" on reality TV shows such as Survivor 3; and developing a logo that associates the "WTO brand" with a "friendly talking frog." We hope that in the future AlterNet will put a disclaimer at the bottom of its spoofs. We know some sincere activists who were taken in by this one. It's actually not far removed from some genuine marketing schemes that we've seen.
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