The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is encountering significant backlash from both political figures and the public following the leak of an internal memo. This memo, which came to light ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, instructed journalists to refrain from labeling the event as a “terrorist attack.”
The guidance, issued by Basem Boshra, the Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust, advised staff to refer to the incidents merely as “hijackings” that led to the crashes of passenger jets in various locations, including Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Manhattan, along with the destruction of the World Trade Center. This directive was first reported by Canadian columnist Warren Kinsella, leading to swift criticism both in Canada and abroad.
Critics from various political and advocacy groups have condemned the CBC’s language guidance. Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, characterized the memo’s contents as a shocking misrepresentation of history, arguing it disrespects the victims, their families, survivors, and first responders.
U.S. lawmakers and public figures have also voiced their disapproval. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs accused the public broadcaster of attempting to revise history and of not upholding essential journalistic standards.
Initially, CBC representatives defended the memo, asserting that the guidance aligned with a longstanding policy designed to use neutral language. They pointed to earlier editorial standards shared by General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Brodie Fenlon, highlighting that CBC News generally avoids labels like “terrorist” or “terrorism” on its own accord to maintain neutrality and prevent the use of “emotionally charged” language.
The CBC further explained that this policy aims to leave such terms to government authorities or investigative bodies instead of asserting them as neutral facts.
Following days of intense public and political pressure, CBC reportedly revised its guidelines. In a subsequent blog post by Boshra, he recognized that the leaked memo had caused significant concern, anger, and hurt. He clarified that the network had never intended to downplay the severity of the attacks or deny al-Qaeda’s involvement.
To address what it called an “unintentional impediment to public understanding,” CBC News has now updated its editorial standards to allow the characterization of the September 11 events as terrorism without requiring direct attribution.
