The media world has been stunned today after it emerged people have been fooled for years by a satirical newspaper called ‘The Daily Express’, writes Hard Jackson.
Shock has turned to embarrassment as it became clear that other media outlets had also been taken in by the Express, which has featured in television programmes such as What The Papers Say and Newsnight and has been referred to as ‘a newspaper’ in print.
Proprietor Richard Desmond expressed his bafflement that anyone had been taken in by the spoof, which he described as ‘self-evidently absurd’.
“The idea that anyone has been taking the Express seriously just goes to show how gullible some people are, and how parlous the state of news journalism has become,” said Desmond.
“With headlines like ‘Now asylum if you’re gay’ and ‘Breakfast is secret of health’ it should be clear to even the most feeble-minded of folk that isn’t meant to be taken seriously
“And all that cancer and Diana stuff,” laughed Desmond. “Are you serious? It’s clearly complete drivel.”
The revelation has prompted soul-searching among British media circles, with suspicion now directed at similar newspapers such as The Sun and Daily Mail.
It is also feared some people have failed to realise that Sky anchor Kay Burley is an actress affiliated with satirist Chris Morris.
