CBC changes policy that says not to label 9/11 attacks as ‘terrorism’ after criticism

CBC has reversed its previous policy prohibiting the use of the term “terrorism” when referring to the September 11, 2001, attacks, following widespread backlash from both domestic and international critics. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced the change in response to mounting pressure from government officials, law enforcement agencies, and political leaders who argued that the policy had created confusion and undermined historical accuracy. The shift in policy followed the leak of a memo circulated to CBC News staff before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The memo instructed journalists to avoid labeling the attacks as “terrorist attacks” unless explicitly authorized by official sources. This directive sparked immediate controversy, particularly in the United States, where several prominent figures voiced their disapproval. FBI Director Kash Patel expressed his frustration on social media, stating that any Canadian entity failing to acknowledge the 9/11 attacks as a terrorist event would lose the FBI’s support. Similarly, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing terrorism in order to strengthen bilateral security cooperation. Republican members of Congress also joined the chorus of criticism, questioning the rationale behind the policy. They accused CBC of attempting to sanitize one of the most devastating events in modern history. In a widely shared post, they asked, “What possible motive could there be for sanitizing the worst terrorist attack on American soil? Care to explain, @Canada?” These statements reflected broader concerns about the potential implications of downplaying the nature of the attacks, especially in light of ongoing global threats posed by extremist groups. In Canada, the opposition Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, condemned the policy as a “distortion of history.” He argued that referring to the 9/11 attacks as anything other than a terrorist act was an affront to the victims and their families. His comments were part of a larger political debate over how historical events should be framed in public discourse, particularly when they involve complex geopolitical issues. The Canadian government itself took a firm stance on the issue, with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree issuing a press release affirming that the 9/11 attacks were “the deadliest terrorist attack in history” and that the government “unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms.” Culture Minister Marc Miller also praised the CBC’s reversal, calling the old policy “pedantic and foolish” and expressing relief that the broadcaster was finally aligning its reporting with established historical consensus. CBC’s internal review process revealed that the organization had previously maintained a cautious approach to using the term “terrorism,” citing the need to avoid inflaming sensitive discussions around the topic. However, the leaked memo and subsequent public outcry forced the corporation to reconsider its position. A blog post by Basem Boshra, senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, outlined the rationale behind the policy change. He emphasized that while CBC would no longer require explicit authorization to describe the 9/11 attacks as acts of terrorism, the network would still adhere to the standard practice of attributing causes and motivations to officials and experts when discussing such events. This decision marks a pivotal moment for CBC, as it seeks to balance journalistic integrity with the responsibility of accurately representing historical events. Moving forward, the broadcaster will continue to prioritize transparency and factual accuracy, ensuring that its coverage reflects the broader societal and governmental consensus on the nature of the 9/11 attacks.