HOAX – Texas Town adds sugar to drinking water supply

by  • 

 

Photo from Here and Now, CBC

 

LISTEN (5 Minutes)

SHELLEY’S NOTE:  It was all over the internet – the Canadian Broadcast Corporation did an interview with a man from Talon, Texas, in Pecos County, where the man explained why the town of Talon is adding sugar to the drinking water so that more people will drink it.  How much sugar?  Several Tablespoons per cup.  Go here for the interview, which has been picked up and reposted now on several sites that have concerns about crazy government or crazy health ideas.  However, there IS no Talon, Texas, according to both the head of public health in Pecos County, the chief judge of Pecos County, and the main county newspaper, the Fort Stockton Pioneer.  And they know of no town or community in their region that adds sugar to the drinking water.  What’s more – the origin of the report?  A satirical program on the CBC.

Here’s the response back from the CBC Program, “This and That.”

Hi Shelley — We commend you for actively engaging with media and your suspicions because the story about a Texas town putting sugar in the water supply is satire. This Is That is a satirical current affairs radio show from Canada, similar to your Onion newspaper. Our apologies for the confusion. Hopefully this clears things up and maybe you could pass on the word to the folks in Pecos County for us too!   Thanks for getting in touch, – Chris Kelly – THIS AND THAT Producer.  CBC.

  6 comments for “HOAX – Texas Town adds sugar to drinking water supply”

  1. ed67000@hotmail.com
    July 16, 2015 at 1:55 am

    I was driving and heard the interview and thought ‘this can’t be true’. but then I thought maybe in Texas. The interviewee had a dopey southern accent ….kinda funny

  2. Penny
    August 9, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    At first I thought the story was real. How could any group of people be so stupid? Then I realized I was the one being duped.

  3. good apple
    January 22, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Whewww! Thanks for exposing this. A couple of people we know heard this program on CBC and believed it was true.

  4. Barbara
    January 3, 2013 at 10:54 am

    This article does nothing to help CBC`s credibility as a source of news. Many people have no idea that this show is satire and just tune in part way through the story and believe that people in America are actually doing this, it is an insult on every level. Continue on this path CBC and you will quickly understand why your audience has turned from you to more reliable sources such as National Enquirer!!!!

  5. Shelley
    January 2, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    You’re welcome. I have to admit, when I first heard about this, I sort of thought it MIGHT be real. Those CBC people definitely know how to do satire.

  6. Elaine
    December 29, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Oh this is awesome!!! I’ve heard this twice now on the cbc only this time I had the time to check it out….had to be a hoax. Also just enjoyed the item about needing thousands of full-time volunteers etc. I can’t believe that people take this seriously (though I was a little worried myself I have to admit!).

    Thanks!

Comments are closed.