Empire News admits to being a "satirical and entertainment website" which only uses invented names in its stories, "except in cases when public figures are being satirised".
Indeed, some of the site's other articles carry headlines intended to shock and make people laugh, such as "Colorado becomes first state to legalize crystal meth," and "Pennsylvania Burger Kind manager fired for eating a Big Mac".
Despite this, the outrage shown by fans that the show - which received 13 Emmy nominations last week - may have been cancelled, caused Netflix to respond to the rumour, which had begun trending on Twitter.
"Don't worry, dandelions! @OITNB is not cancelled," it tweeted, with a link to the Instagram account documenting the current production of the show's third season, while the show's official twitter account said: "Whoever started this rumor will be spending some time in the SHU."
But fans were not immediately assuaged, with Netflix having to send out a second tweet hours later showing Danielle Brooks, who plays Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson, and Uzo Aduba, who plays Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, on set for season three.
Don't worry, dandelions! @OITNB is not cancelled. Follow season 3 production here: http://t.co/0EaXwhWq3u
Orange Is The New Black has NOT been canceled. Whoever started this rumor will be spending some time in the SHU. pic.twitter.com/tslCdjBkht
INMATES, listen up! @OITNB is not cancelled. Here's @thedanieb and @UzoAduba on set for season 3: pic.twitter.com/8L32IYmMQU
- Independent