After criticism, Canada’s CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, announced on Friday that it will make an exception to its usual policy of not labeling specific attacks as terrorism, including the 9/11 attacks. The decision came after the broadcaster faced criticism over a memo reminding journalists of the policy ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's standards generally prohibit reporters from describing events as terrorist attacks unless they are quoting someone else's words. However, the move was prompted by criticism from the U.S. FBI director, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Republican members of Congress, and Canada’s Conservative party following media reports about the memo.

Basem Boshra, the senior director of journalistic standards and public trust at CBC, addressed the issue in a blog post published late Friday afternoon. He acknowledged that a "leaked excerpt" of the language policy had raised concerns about the broadcaster's ability to provide clarity and public understanding. Boshra explained that the exception was made to address these concerns, stating, "We are doing so to remove what has unfortunately (and unintentionally) become an impediment to clarity and public understanding."

Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller responded positively to the decision, praising it on social media as a "welcome change to what was a piece of pedantic and foolish guidance that caused legitimate anger." The Canadian government also supported the move, with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree issuing a press release that reaffirmed Canada's recognition of 9/11 as the deadliest terrorist attack in history and its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.