CBC changes policy that says not to label 9/11 attacks as ‘terrorism’ after criticism
CBC/Radio-Canada has updated its language policy to allow the direct labeling of the 9/11 attacks as 'terrorism' without requiring attribution. This change follows significant public and political criticism regarding the broadcaster's previous neutral stance.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the tension between journalistic neutrality and the public expectation for moral clarity on historical events.
CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly said in an emailed statement prior to the policy change that it was the public broadcaster’s practice to use 'extreme caution' in using the words terrorism or terrorist. Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press
CBC/Radio-Canada is changing its language policy to state that direct attribution will no longer be required when describing 9/11 as an act of “terrorism.”
The decision comes after CBC came under fire over its long-standing policy of not labelling specific attacks as terrorism, which it restated in a memo to staff ahead of the 25 anniversary of Sept. 11.
The director of the FBI, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Republican members of Congress and the Conservative party all criticized the CBC following media reports about a memo that reminded journalists of its policy.
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