Canadian media standards are facing intense scrutiny following the release of an internal CBC News memo instructing reporters to avoid labeling the September 11 attacks as “terrorist attacks.” According to columns by Warren Kinsella in The Hidden Hand: The Information War and the Rise of Antisemitic Propaganda and subsequent reports, CBC Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust Basem Boshra distributed guidance directing staff that the events of Sept. 11, 2001, should instead be described as hijackings that led to passenger jet crashes.
CBC Language Guidelines and Attribution Policy
According to the public broadcaster’s official response to critics, CBC maintains a longstanding language policy regarding the terms “terrorist” and “terrorism.” The broadcaster stated that its preference is for the use of these words only with explicit attribution, a practice it noted is shared by many major global journalistic organizations. In the leaked memo, Boshra instructed journalists that instead of using the term directly, reports should state that “The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, Pennsylvania and Manhattan.”
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Public Backlash and Criticisms from Political Figures
The directive sparked immediate outrage across social media and drew sharp condemnation from public figures, politicians, and media critics. According to published reactions, Aviva Klompas called the CBC a “deeply unserious news organization,” while former CBC Canada Tonight host Travis Dhanraj stated on social media that his former employer may have the most incompetent management in the country. Dhanraj added that policing this language is an insult to victims and their families. Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas argued that the broadcaster is choosing to redefine history in a way that downplays the atrocity, and past Calgary Herald editor and publisher Peter Menzies publicly questioned the reality of the directive. Maureen Basnicki, whose husband was one of 24 Canadians killed in the attacks, also spoke out against the wording on social media.
Did you know?
Twenty-four Canadian citizens were among the victims killed during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, according to official records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the CBC memo instruct reporters to do?
According to the memo from Basem Boshra, CBC staff were instructed not to refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks, but instead to describe them as hijackings that led to passenger jet crashes.
How has the CBC defended its language policy?
According to the broadcaster’s statement, CBC prefers using terms like “terrorist” and “terrorism” strictly with attribution, aligning with the practices of other international news organizations.
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Who has criticized the CBC directive?
Prominent critics include author Aviva Klompas, former CBC host Travis Dhanraj, Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas, former newspaper editor Peter Menzies, and Maureen Basnicki, whose husband died in the attacks.
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