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April Fools’ Day prank leads to fake news; firm claims candidates not offered marijuana

April 02, 2018

Dutch staffing firm YoungCapital on March 26 issued a press release, a twitter post and an online video saying it was offering marijuana and alcohol to job candidates as a way to calm their nerves. Yesterday, the company issued a follow-up press release saying the original press release was an April Fools’ joke and not true.

We have reached out to YoungCapital via email and telephone regarding the press releases, but have not heard back as of press time.

The original press release was still on the company’s website on Monday morning.

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However, in addition to a second press release, from what appears to be the company’s Twitter account, saying the news was false.

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It followed an earlier tweet announcing what they claimed was a new policy to provide marijuana and alcohol.

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Reports of fake news are emerging in the media with some websites actually working to track it. However, it is highly unusual for staffing firms to post such news items.

Such items create confusion and can sow distrust, but the company said in its second press that it was trying to raise awareness about anxiety in young job candidates.

Fake news has been a serious issue in political campaigns with claims that some countries such as Russia are trying to manipulate elections.