And now it's over to London (that big city in Norfolk). CNN's geography leaves a lot to be desired
America may be the most powerful nation on the planet, but it is not necessarily the most knowledgeable about geography.
Night after night, U.S. news channels make embarrassing gaffes with their maps and graphics as they report on foreign affairs.
Howlers range from placing cities in the wrong regions to obliterating countries altogether or confusing them with entire continents.
London calling: The capital takes up residence in Norfolk in a CNN report
Over the weekend CNN – which is available in 212 countries – moved our own capital to Norfolk during its reporting of phone- hacking arrests.
In November, when the Greek Prime Minister was visiting the French Riviera, it placed Cannes in north-west Spain. Last year it tried to help Colonel Gaddafi escape from Libya by uprooting Tripoli and placing it in the relative haven of Lebanon.
Rival network Fox News tackled the Middle Eastern question by getting rid of Iraq altogether and replacing it with Egypt.
Out of place: This TV map illustrating the Libyan crisis puts Tripoli some distance from where it actually is
New location: The French town of Cannes, famous for its film festival, appears to have moved to Northern Spain
Chicago’s WGN scored the biggest own goal while reporting on the 2010 World Cup, moving South Africa 5,000 miles west to replace South America.
A 2005 survey highlighted Americans’ ignorance of geography.
One in ten aged between 18 and 24 could not find their own country on a map and only half managed to point out New York.
Own goal: WGN9 replaces South America with South Africa during the 2010 World Cup
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