Gizmodo under fire after CES prank

Gizmodo staff at the show admitted to using a TV-B-Gone clicker to switch off entire banks of TVs, disrupting a Motorola presentation in the process.

The TV-B-Gone clicker is a small remote control that can turn off pretty much every nearby TV.

"When MAKE offered us some TV-B-Gone clickers to bring to the show, we pretty much couldn't help ourselves," said the blog.

The prank has caused quite a stir in the online community. Some have commended the joke as inspired harmless fun, while others have condemned it as childish and tarnishing the reputation of the media and particularly bloggers.

The Consumer Electronics Association, which organises CES, has cracked down on Gizmodo.

"We have been informed of inappropriate behaviour on the show floor by a credentialed media attendee from the website Gizmodo, owned by Gawker Media," said the Association in a statement.

"Specifically, the Gizmodo staffer interfered with the exhibitor booth operations of numerous companies, including disrupting at least one press event.

"The Gizmodo staffer violated the terms of CES media credentials and caused harm to CES exhibitors.

"This Gizmodo staffer has been identified and will be barred from attending any future CES events. Additional sanctions against Gizmodo and Gawker Media are under discussion."

However, at least one person claiming to be an exhibitor commented on Gizmodo's confession post saying: "So from the guys at a certain formula one sponsor, you had us in tears watching this. Best video ever!! Our own damn fault for forgetting the black gaff tape over the IR receivers. Good stuff Giz."

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