“Irresponsible,” “questionable” and “regrettable” were among the reactions from the political mainstream after a fictional report. The program was described as a “misplaced joke.”

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The community summoned the head broadcaster to account for the broadcast.

A commission was set on Thursday to view news footage which included interviews with real politicians, scenes of flag-waving crowds and reports that the king had fled.

The news shocked viewers in a country keenly aware of its linguistic and political differences. Only much later during the mock documentary did a subtitle reveal that the reports were fictional.

News media reported foreign correspondents had called to confirm the news while some embassies warned their governments of developments.

The local news broadcast had undermined the credibility of the whole news just a day before a summit.

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