Apple is cozying up to China. The critical agenda is over
Apple has canceled John Stewart’s popular show on Apple TV Plus. The project was to be terminated due to “creative differences”. The host wanted to deal with the topic of China and AI.
Well-known media personality and former host of “The Daily Show” John Stewart has had a falling out with Apple. The presenter hosted a talk show on the Apple TV Plus platform, but his program was canceled just before the start of the third season. The scandal may be about the manufacturer’s relationship with China.
John Stewart wanted to criticize China – a program removed from Apple TV Plus
“The Problem with Jon Stewart” will no longer appear on Apple TV Plus, anonymous sources report to The New York Times. The corporation’s decision was said to be due to “creative differences” between the host and the company. According to reporters, the first problem was the guest list of the third season of the show, which was supposed to worry Apple representatives.
Later, however, Stewart was to indicate that he would like to discuss the development of artificial intelligence or the situation in China in the program. For Apple, these issues were said to be too controversial and led to the quick termination of cooperation with the presenter.
As “The Hollywood Reporter” adds, Stewart did not agree to the request to soften the program and decided to leave the project. This took place just a few weeks before the start of filming for the third season.
Apple dependent on factories in China
There are many indications that potential criticism of China has become a bone of contention between Apple and the host of the program. The well-known company is heavily dependent on factories in this country and particularly cares about positive relations with the Communist Party of China.
Apple’s largest subcontractor – Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group) – has practically made the American company dependent on its services. Today, almost all production of devices such as iPhones, AirPods and MacBooks takes place in the People’s Republic of China.
Last week, Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, met in Beijing with Jin Zhuanglong, China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology. “The two sides exchanged views on Apple’s development in China, industrial supply chain cooperation and other issues,” the ministry said in a statement.
