Dutch-speaking half of Belgium declares independence

Viper007Bond · December 15th, 2006, 9:19 AM

Or so it was "reported"...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6178671.stm

Quote:

The Belgian public television station RTBF ran a bogus report saying the Dutch-speaking half of the nation had declared independence.

Later it said Wednesday night's programme was meant to stir up debate.

It appears to have succeeded. Thousands of people made panicked calls to the station and politicians complained.

Adunaphel · December 15th, 2006, 9:20 AM

Saw it yesterday and lol'd, but couldn't be arsed to find an english article about it and post it here.

targa_997 · December 15th, 2006, 6:08 PM

It was the Belgian joke of the day in France.

ioynerien · December 18th, 2006, 1:51 PM

I understand the purpose of the show, however I feel that they could have warned the audience instead of abruptly interrupting their regular broadcast with a realistic "special newsbulletin". Many complaints and 30 minutes later they added a "this is fake" message. A bit late me thinks. Some people were allready on the streets waving Belgian flags whilst marching in front of the Royal palace in support of the King.

About the political reactions: three things you should know:
1) Belgium is complicated and quite small (whitin 2 hours I can easily be in the Netherlands, France, Germany or Luxemburg (by car))
2) We just have had local and provincial elections, but more importantly: in 2007 we'll be having national elections.
3) Language issues (+ outsourcing National government responsibilities to the regional (language-based) governments) have been a political hot item since before I was born.

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December 15th, 2006, 9:20 AM	#2
Adunaphel Global Moderator Joined: Jan 18th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: [ˈneːdərlɑnt] Age: 29 Posts: 4,589 Car: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) Rep Power: 153	Saw it yesterday and lol'd, but couldn't be arsed to find an english article about it and post it here.

December 15th, 2006, 6:08 PM	#3
targa_997 Joined: Aug 16th, 2006 Last Online: February 7th, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 343 Car: Z3 Roadster 2.8i Rep Power: 0	It was the Belgian joke of the day in France.

December 18th, 2006, 1:51 PM	#4
ioynerien Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: November 5th, 2009 Location: Belgium Age: 26 Posts: 166 Car: '06 Opel Astra Rep Power: 20	I understand the purpose of the show, however I feel that they could have warned the audience instead of abruptly interrupting their regular broadcast with a realistic "special newsbulletin". Many complaints and 30 minutes later they added a "this is fake" message. A bit late me thinks. Some people were allready on the streets waving Belgian flags whilst marching in front of the Royal palace in support of the King. About the political reactions: three things you should know: 1) Belgium is complicated and quite small (whitin 2 hours I can easily be in the Netherlands, France, Germany or Luxemburg (by car)) 2) We just have had local and provincial elections, but more importantly: in 2007 we'll be having national elections. 3) Language issues (+ outsourcing National government responsibilities to the regional (language-based) governments) have been a political hot item since before I was born.

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