Internal guidance ahead of 25th anniversary sparks criticism as Canadian broadcaster defends longstanding terminology policy
OTTAWA: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has reportedly instructed journalists not to describe the September 11, 2001 attacks as “terrorist attacks” in coverage marking their 25th anniversary.
Canadian journalist Warren Kinsella first reported the guidance after obtaining an internal memo. Subsequently, the National Post and other Canadian journalists reportedly received copies.
According to a screenshot circulated by Kinsella, Basem Boshra, CBC News’ senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, sent the guidance to reporters and editors.
The memo reportedly instructs journalists to describe the events factually, including the hijackings and subsequent passenger-plane crashes in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania, rather than independently applying the terrorism label.
CBC Defends Attribution-Based Approach
Meanwhile, a CBC spokesperson defended the broadcaster’s longstanding editorial policy, saying journalists should generally attribute terms such as “terrorist” and “terrorism” rather than use them independently.
The spokesperson said several major international news organisations follow similar practices.
CBC editor-in-chief and general manager Brodie Fenlon previously explained the approach in 2023, arguing that journalists should exercise “extreme caution” when using such terminology because of its political and emotional implications.
However, the reported anniversary guidance has triggered criticism from Canadian politicians.
MP Calls Guidance ‘Absolutely Shameful’
Canadian MP Rachel Thomas strongly criticised the memo, arguing that refusing to directly describe 9/11 as terrorism diminishes the scale and nature of the attacks.
She said the approach dishonoured victims, survivors, their families and first responders.
Al-Qaeda hijackers seized four passenger aircraft on September 11, 2001, crashing two into New York’s World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon. A fourth aircraft crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers resisted the hijackers.
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, which fundamentally reshaped US foreign and security policy.
