DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Canadian broadcaster CBC criticized for 'terrorist attacks' memo

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reportedly circulated a memo instructing journalists not to refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as "terrorist attacks."
  • The memo, authored by Basem Boshra, Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust, advised using descriptive language about the events instead.
  • The directive has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian politicians and journalists, who argue it downplays the atrocity and dishonors victims.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has reportedly issued a directive to its journalists, instructing them to avoid describing the events as "terrorist attacks." This guidance, first reported by Canadian journalist Warren Kinsella and confirmed by other outlets, has sparked significant criticism across Canada.

Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks.

— CBC MemoThe core instruction reportedly circulated to CBC journalists.

The memo, attributed to Basem Boshra, Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust at CBC News, explicitly states that the Sept. 11 attacks are not to be referred to as terrorist attacks. Instead, it suggests describing the events factually, such as "The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Manhattan. The World Trade Center (WTC in second reference) was destroyed."

A CBC spokeswoman defended the guidance, stating it reflects a "longstanding language guidance regarding the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism' is a preference for the use of these words with attribution, a practice shared by many of the world’s top journalistic organizations." She added that the general manager and editor-in-chief has written publicly on the subject.

The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Manhattan. The World Trade Center (WTC in second reference) was destroyed.

— Basem BoshraSuggested alternative phrasing from the CBC memo.

However, Canadian MP Rachel Thomas called the memo "absolutely shameful," arguing that the CBC is "choosing to redefine terrorism in a way that downplays the atrocity of 9/11." She stated that refusing to call it an act of terrorism "dishonors the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders who witnessed the horrors of that day."

CBC’s longstanding language guidance regarding the terms ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ is a preference for the use of these words with attribution, a practice shared by many of the world’s top journalistic organizations.

— CBC spokeswomanExplaining the rationale behind the memo's guidance.

In a blog post from October 2023, CBC News editor-in-chief and general manager Brodie Fenlon explained the outlet's approach, advising employees to "exercise extreme caution before using the words terrorist or terrorism." He elaborated that CBC News "does not itself designate specific groups as terrorists, or specific acts as terrorism, regardless of the region or the events, because these words are so loaded with meaning, politics and emotion that they can end up being impediments to our journalism."

The CBC is choosing to redefine terrorism in a way that downplays the atrocity of 9/11. Refusing to call it an act of terrorism dishonors the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders who witnessed the horrors of that day. 9/11 was an act of terrorism. Full stop.

— Rachel ThomasCanadian MP criticizing the CBC memo.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog