Fox News Politics Twitter Feed Hacked, Wrongly Announces Obama Assassination

Monday, 04 July 2011 09:03

Written by Kevin Coy

Fox News has been the victim of a sickening Twitter account hacking, when its @foxnewspoliics twitter feed began announcing that Presiden Obama had been shot dead.

The rogue news rapidly spread around the web, with news services scrambling to confirm the news, however it quickly became apparent that the story was a hoax.

Sceptics quickly identified that the hacker was not using the language expected from a journalist, especially in the first two tweets;

"@BarackObama has just passed. The President is dead. A sad 4th of July, indeed. President Barack Obama is dead," came the first tweet. The string of messages continued:

"@BarackObama has just passed. Nearly 45 minutes ago, he was shot twice in the lower pelvic area and in the neck; shooter unknown. Bled out," and then: "@BarackObama shot twice at a Ross' restaurant in Iowa while campaigning. RIP Obama, best regards to the Obama family."

A journalist simply wouldn't use the term that someone 'has just passed'.

A further volley of tweets followed, this time saying;

"#ObamaDead, it's a sad 4th of July. RT to support the late president's family, and RIP. The shooter will be found;

"BREAKING NEWS: President @BarackObama assassinated, 2 gunshot wounds have proved too much. It's a sad 4th for #america. #obamadead RIP;

"We wish @joebiden the best of luck as our new President of the United States. In such a time of madness, there's light at the end of tunnel."