By: E&P Staff The mass media discovered Facebook as a source for lively biographical details and quotes when previous unknowns suddenly enter the public eye. It happened again this week, with the emergence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 19-year-old son of the slain Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto.
The quotes many in the press gathered from a Facebook profile were literally too good to be true.
Bhutto associates in Pakistan suggested the prankster was a government agent. Tonight The New York Times identified as the hoaxmeister someone who calls himself "Tonay" -- unless, of course, that is a prank, too. Now Facebook has taken down the fake page.
Many places, including Toronto's Globe and Mail and Agence France Presse, quoted his statements on Islam as coming from the Bhutto boy:
?What?s Islamic extremism? It?s strict adherence to a particular interpretation of seventh century Islamic law as practiced by the prophet Mohammed, and when I say ?strict adherence?, I?m not kidding around.
?Men are forced to pray, wear their beards a certain length. Among my favorites is there?s only one acceptable cheer at a football match: Allah-hu-Akbar. God is great."
Often cited was this fake statement: "I am not a born leader. I am not a politician or a great thinker. I?m merely a student. I do the things that students do like make mistakes, eat junk food, watch Buffy [the Vampire Slayer] but most importantly of all . . . learn. My time to lead will come but for now I?m the one asking questions, not the one answering them.?
The real Bhutto youth did have a real Facebook page, as well. Mike Nizza at the Times' "The Lede" blog has the full story on all this, and refers to the real Facebook page: "London?s Evening Standard uncovered the juiciest bit ? a photo of him donning a devil costume on Halloween, along with a comment: 'We?re ready to bring hell on earth. . . waaahahahahahah.'?
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