A special committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is closely scrutinizing Apple’s decision to cancel “The Problem With Jon Stewart,” a current affairs TV series that aired briefly on Apple TV+ in 2021. This bipartisan group, comprising members from both Republican and Democratic parties, is particularly interested in whether the show’s coverage and criticism of China played a part in its abrupt cancellation. They have asked Apple to clarify this issue by December 15, 2023.
The lawmakers’ concerns seem to stem from the significant financial stakes Apple has in China. Roughly 19% of the company’s sales, amounting to over $72.5 billion, were reported from China in fiscal 2023. This financial entanglement could potentially influence Apple’s content decisions, especially when it involves politically sensitive topics like China. However, it’s also noted that the show tackled other controversial subjects, such as artificial intelligence and gun control, which could have also contributed to its cancellation.
The House of Representatives’ Select Committee on Competition with the Chinese Communist Party is particularly involved in this inquiry. Their letter to Apple reflects a growing concern over the extent to which foreign powers, like China, might indirectly influence content decisions on American platforms. This is part of a broader discussion on how U.S. companies balance their business interests with free speech and editorial independence.
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