Media Mischief On April Fools' Day

In the annals of journalism, there is a long tradition of newsfolks -- reporters, writers, broadcasters -- pulling April Fools' Day tricks on readers and listeners. Sometimes the prank prevails; sometimes it fails. In the end, does first-of-April tomfoolery strengthen -- or weaken -- the bond between a news organization and its constituency? Ethicist Kirtley says that the tone of a story is the key. "I would just caution that if you are going to do it, it had better be good. You want your readers or listeners to laugh with you, not feel as if you are making fun of them."