Public broadcast RÚV fooled its viewers with a news item on Sunday, April 1, saying valuable paintings, furniture, costumes and decorative objects were for sale from 5 pm to 9 pm on Sunday.
RÚV reported the most valuable objects would be auctioned at 9 pm, which members of the public could make bids for, and that refreshments would be offered to guests at the auction.
Director of RÚV Páll Magnússon said the purpose with the sale and auction was to cut the station’s ties with the past and also to make money to run the station as a public corporation.
RÚV recently switched from being Iceland’s national broadcaster to becoming a public corporation.
Collectors and people hoping to make a bargain went to RÚV’s headquarters in Reykjavík after seeing the news item and were taken by surprise when they were told by the receptionist that there would be no sale or auction as it was April Fools’ Day.
Running a false news item on April Fools’ Day is an annual event on RÚV.
