In the 1990s, the satirical magazine Spy pulled a practical joke on several members of the United States Congress. Impersonating a New York radio host (Henry Rose), the magazine successfully convinced several newcomers to Congress to comment on the "ethnic cleansing" in Freedonia, without their realizing that Freedonia was a fictional country."Parliament of suckers: Spy says 'Welcome' to freshman Congress class". Spy, July–August 1994. (The dating is obscure. The story itself is dated February 1992. There is commentary on it dated early 1993.) Nick Smith urged caution; James Talent supported action; Jay Inslee warned that inaction would be unacceptable. The story drew commentary elsewhere."Brisk wind of change looks more like faint breeze after magazine's hoax" Sun Sentinel, January 27, 1993."Isn't Freedonia Next to Oz?", The New York Times, January 13, 1993. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
In the 1990s, the satirical magazine Spy pulled a practical joke on several members of the United States Congress. Impersonating a New York radio host (Henry Rose), the magazine successfully convinced several newcomers to Congress to comment on the "ethnic cleansing" in Freedonia, without their realizing that Freedonia was a fictional country."Parliament of suckers: Spy says 'Welcome' to freshman Congress class". Spy, July–August 1994. (The dating is obscure. The story itself is dated February 1992. There is commentary on it dated early 1993.) Nick Smith urged caution; James Talent supported action; Jay Inslee warned that inaction would be unacceptable. The story drew commentary elsewhere."Brisk wind of change looks more like faint breeze after magazine's hoax" Sun Sentinel, January 27, 1993."Isn't Freedonia Next to Oz" The New York Times, January 13, 1993. Retrieved January 12, 2011