While major media networks are still scratching their heads at why people would rather switch online for their news and entertainment, Fox Business Network has presented an open-shut case. A recent broadcast announced that Apple were purchasing an 8% stake of AMD (a manufacturer of computer chips) – big news indeed, seeing as AMD are the main competitor for Intel, (which are often found inside Apple computers)
The network had graphics and commentary at the ready about this seismic shift in the playing field from a panel of experts – until the commentary rapidly degenerated into farce.

CONTRIBUTOR CHARLES PAYNE: “…I gotta tell you, Peter, I think it’s a smart play by both companies to get involved with each other.”

BARNES: “And we are getting some more news (inaudible)”

GLICK: “That, oh, it’s not Apple. Let me just correct ourselves here. It is not Apple. (cross talk) Alright, I’m sorry, we got a little ahead of ourselves here on that. Um, Apple Dubai? Abu Dubai.” [sic]

BARNES: “Oh, the ah… the Arabs. OK.”

GLICK: “Oh, OK, there we go. (Laughs) We thought it was Apple! We got so excited about it!”

BARNES: Yeah, how did? yeah, anyway, we apologise

LIZ: They gotta put their petro-dollars somewhere, right?

BARNES: Yeah, Abu Dubai has a big investment company, they’ve been making a lot of big investments here in the states, and so obviously, now – not Apple, but Abu Dubai

LIZ: Well we gave Steve Jobs a great idea!

For the record, Abu Dhabi is the member state of the United Arab Emirates who have invested in AMD, Dubai on the other hand is a separate member of the UAE who had nothing to do with the deal at all. Abu Dubai (or Apple Dubai) are fictional creations of the Fox Network who are probably suffering more than anyone from the writer’s strike and have wandered into fantasy.

A great idea it may well be – but something tells me Steve Jobs gets his financial advice from someone with a slightly better knowledge of international affairs (or basic geography).

While there must be some people out there who do watch Fox for their daily news, episodes like this are cause for concern in terms of their analysis, or level of research, or fact checking, or having any real credibility whatsoever.

Personally i choose online resources like C-Net or Sesame St for my news feeds and updates. TV just doesn’t cut it like it used to.