A report - which claimed that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared Filipino broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, "persona non grata," for saying on air that super typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) should spare the Philippines and hit Japan instead - is nothing but a lie.
The hoax report, which has gone viral, claimed that Japan has declared ABS-CBN news reader, Korina Sanchez, a "persona non grata" for wishing "ill against others." It was first published on So,What's News, a satirical website.
The fake news cited that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the 'insensitive' statement by Korina Sanchez, who is the wife of the Philippines' Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
The hoax report stated:
Abe, speaking in public after his meeting with officials of Japan Meteorological Agency regarding typhoon Hagupit (Ruby), said that for a public figure such as Sanchez, to say such things towards Japan; is an act "definitely unbecoming of a news anchor, let alone an Interior Ministry's wife".
"I am very saddened to hear reports of schadenfreude coming from a TV anchor, who just last year, was was put in her place by Mr. Anderson Cooper of CNN," said Abe. "That is why without a second thought, I am declaring wholeheartedly Ms. Korina Sanchez of the Philippines, as an unwelcome person anywhere in Japan."
Many in the Philippines were outraged by the insensitive remark made by the prominent TV anchor. However, for Sanchez, this is not the first time that she has courted controversy at the global level.
In November last year, Korina, who is ABS-CBN's chief correspondent and anchor of its flagship newscast TV Patrol, had lashed out at CNN anchor Anderson Cooper for critising the country's government and their response to handling the Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Rappler had reported.
Following her insensitive remark, the recent hoax gained more traction, as now Sanchez's husband Mar Roxas is said to be aspiring for the President's seat in the country and any statement from her would have an impact, both at national and international levels.
Korina Sanchez 'Persona Non Grata' Hoax
Despite the fact that So,What's News happens to be, by its own admission, "a SATIRICAL & FICTIONAL news website" thats wants to "inject humour into everyday news," thousands of readers fell for the hoax.
On Twitter, a number of people expressed their opinions, believing the news to be true.
Aaron Jared Gaw @JajieGaw said: "So I heard Korina Sanchez was declared Persona-Non-Grata in Japan. Good for her. The woman should really know when to shut up. #JustSaying"
Similarly Renz Perez @gianTAEyoeh remarked: "Korina Sanchez declared Persona Non Grata in Japan. Congratulations! You truly deserve that"
Elenea @misselenea observed: "Japan declaring persona non grata over Korina Sanchez. She deserves it tho. People should be more careful of the words they're throwing"
Watch Video: Where Korina Sanchez Wishes Super Typhoon Ruby to Hit Japan
What really happened?
The hoax report was inspired by the 3 December statement made live on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol, where Korina Sanchez said that "she hopes Typhoon Ruby will hit Japan instead of the Philippines."
The issue soon turned political with nitizens severely chiding her for unprofessional behaviour.
On social media Felix Pua Goling Jr @IamSuperFelix said: "If Korina Sanchez becomes the first lady of the Philippines, that would be an increase exponentiallly in her stupidity. We are sorry Japan."
While Maria Lrzbl @mikeecolaa chiding the filipina news reader stated: "Korina Sanchez is the most UNprofessional journalist/anchor ever."
