Canada's public broadcaster, the CBC, has drawn widespread criticism for its guidance to journalists advising against using the terms "terror" or "terrorist" when referring to the 9/11 attacks, particularly as the 25th anniversary approaches. The CBC defends this policy by stating that these terms are "loaded with meaning, politics, and emotion," which can impede objective journalism, and therefore prefers that such terms be attributed to sources.
Critics, including New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, have condemned the guidance as "outrageous and insulting," accusing the network of minimizing the tragedy and disrespecting the victims. An internal memo reportedly described the events of 9/11 as "hijackings led to passenger jet crashes," a phrasing many find insufficient to capture the nature of the attacks. The Associated Press also advises caution with the term "terrorism" due to its politicized nature, suggesting that "detailing what happened is more precise and better serves audiences."
While the CBC's stated aim is to maintain factual accuracy and avoid loaded language, its application to the 9/11 attacks has ignited significant opposition. The network has previously explained its stance on "terror" and "terrorism" by stating that attribution has been its policy for decades, similar to other news organizations like the BBC, AP, AFP, and Reuters. The CBC emphasizes its role in reporting facts with accuracy and detail, quoting affected individuals, and conveying official views, but asserts that it does not itself designate specific groups as terrorists or acts as terrorism because these words are too politically charged.
Despite these explanations, the author expresses personal difficulty in imagining reporting on the 9/11 Memorial without using the term "terrorist attacks," given the context and the impact on victims' families.
