The Great Moon Hoax: this is almost unimaginable ...

... but it happened, and it probably was one of the first tabloid headlines. (ANC Tribunal, where are you?)

Strong SA link:  A series of articles were published in the New York Sun newspaper reporting incredible new astronomical observations of the Moon supposedly made by astronomer Sir John Herschel during an observing run at the Cape of Good Hope with his powerful new telescope. Detailed descriptions of winged beings, plants, animals and a sapphire temple increased sales and subscriptions to the fledgling newspaper.


http://www.universetoday.com/84577/the-great-moon-hoax-of-1835/