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Belgian: Fake news report shocks viewers

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-15-2006 11:34

The Belgian public TV station RTBT has shocked its viewers with a dramatic -- but fake -- news report. It claimed that the people of the Dutch-speaking half of the nation, had declared their independence. Belgian nationals have voiced mixed opinions over the spoof report.

The Francophone station abruptly interrupted programming with a mock report on Wednesday night.

The report, which was a year in the making, broadcast interviews with Belgian politicians, and showed cheering crowds holding the Flemish flag as well as huge traffic jams leading to Brussels airport.

On the streets of Brussels, locals had mixed feelings.

Luc Grecht, Belgian national, said, "I read it in the papers this morning and I really appreciated it. And I don't know how some people didn't understand that it was a joke right from the start."

Jany Demaistre, Belgian national, said, "Frankly, it was exaggerated. I think it's necessary to get people to think about this kind of possibility, because it can happen, but then to do it that way was really outrageous."

The TV station has defended itself, saying the broadcast was aimed at stirring up debate a few months before an election in Belgium --- a country with distinct divisions between its Dutch and French-speaking regions.

An RTBF news head said that up till now, the debate had been confined to academic and political communities, and that a more public debate was needed.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan