i often run into europeans who SWEAR that americans have no concept of GEOGRAPHY, not knowing where anything is. i usually try to defend that generalization to an extent stating that is overly exaggerated to declare such biases – but after seeing this “map” of “france” on CNN as was reported by french television 2, DO YOU BLAME THEM?

first of all, according to CNN, the WORLD LEADER OF NEWS, the city of toulouse, normally found in southwest france, is now cavorting around northern italy! (possibly switzerland). was there an earthquake i missed? lyon has moved too! strasbourg, usually found in the alsace-lorraine area of france, has shifted to germany. yes, yes, strasbourg SOUNDS german but that doesn’t mean it’s in germany! since when did france spread to POLAND? cannes is miraculously situated where perpignan normally hangs out. (a rough 400 miles off base along the coast). where did perpignan go? anyway.

tags: france cnn geography generalizations journalistic integrity news reporting