iMediaEthics also found another media outlet hookwinked by US satire website Daily Currant’s report claiming that Kanye West said he would be the “next Nelson Mandela.”
UK “lifestyle print and online for Zambians living in the United Kingdom” UK Zambians Dec. 8 story, “Kanye West: ‘I am the Next Nelson Mandela,’” quoted heavily from the Daily Currant tall tale, which was circulated by the media as truth instead of satire. As reported by iMediaEthics’ over the weekend, a simple fact check by outlets would have identified the Daily Currant as a hoax-generating satire site.
By midday Dec. 9, the story was unpublished on the UK Zambians website and a link to the article goes to an error page. iMediaEthics is writing to UK Zambians for an explanation.
West also responded on Twitter to the fake stories, Mediaite noted. West tweeted thanks to Mandela “for your life’s work.” He went on:
Despite recent media reports, I’ve never said anything to dishonor or trivialize the life or transition of one of the most inspiring leaders
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) December 9, 2013
I’d like to address the false stories and noise that have been engineered by the media.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) December 9, 2013
Since iMediaEthics’ report on news outlets stung by the Daily Currant’s West/Mandela story, The Standard has, like the UK Zambians, deleted its story without notice to readers.