A “parody” news article recently got the attention of netizens, announcing that the Philippines’ Supreme Court had issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the release and distribution of the highly anticipated Diablo III in the country.

The “parody” news article notes that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBC) initiated the TRO’s filing, in reaction to the ”anti-Christian” inclinations and themes of the game.

Sources from IP e-Game Ventures, Blizzard’s distribution partner in the country, have however said that the said news article is a fake, a hoax intended to unnerve those who’ve pre-ordered or intend to purchase the game.

The “parody” newsbit and the ensuing reactions it has elicited makes it here, not simply because of the story itself, but more as a reminder for everyone that there are times when people just can’t take things at face value.

As interactive as the internet is, just about anyone can post his or her own news article, leaving the question of its validity and accuracy to the judgments and discernment of its readers.

In the case of the alleged TRO issued on the release and distribution of Diablo III in the Philippines, the “parody” news article was quite well written, with quotes and time-line declarations which are often found in real news articles.

It didn’t exactly go viral, given that most of its readers were skeptical over its validity, but a number of its readers did take the “parody” news as real news.

Bottom line, it pays to be wary of news when talking about online sources, particularly when it just springs out of the blue, in relation to something big, like the May 15 release of Diablo III.