**Title: CBC Instructs Staff on Terminology Regarding 9/11 Attacks**
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has reportedly issued a directive to its employees advising against the use of the term "terrorist" when referring to the September 11 attacks, which this year marks its 25th anniversary. According to various media reports, this guidance has sparked discussions about the implications of language in journalism.
The September 11 attacks in 2001 resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals and were carried out by 19 hijackers affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The attackers commandeered four commercial airliners, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, a third into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control.
In a memo circulated by Basem Boshra, CBC's Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust, staff were instructed not to label the attacks as terrorist acts. The memo emphasized a factual recounting of events, stating, “The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Manhattan. The World Trade Center (WTC in second reference) was destroyed.”
The Toronto Sun first reported on this memo, which has since drawn attention from other media outlets, including the National Post. CBC News has responded to the reports, with a spokesperson clarifying that the memo was not an outright ban on the term "terrorist." Instead, it was described as a routine reminder concerning the usage of politically charged language in journalism. The spokesperson stated, “It is wholly inaccurate to state our journalists have been urged to declare that this was not a terrorist act.”
Brodie Fenlon, the editor-in-chief and general manager of CBC News, has previously articulated the broadcaster's stance on the use of terms like "terrorist" and "terrorism." He has indicated that CBC avoids designating specific groups or actions as terrorist, arguing that such terms can be politically and emotionally charged, potentially hindering journalistic integrity and objectivity.
The timing of this guidance comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between Canada and the United States, particularly related to trade disputes. Recently, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on a range of American products following new duties imposed by the U.S. government. This context may add layers of complexity to the discussions surrounding the CBC's editorial policies and its approach to sensitive topics.
As the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, the conversation around terminology and its implications continues to resonate within media circles and among the public. The CBC's directive serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in navigating language that carries significant historical and emotional weight.