CBC News has found itself once more embroiled in controversy over the usage of the terms “terrorist” and “terrorism,” particularly regarding the al-Qaeda attacks on September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The confusion arose from a leaked excerpt of the internal language guide, which was shared without proper context, leading to concerns and backlash from individuals questioning the portrayal of the tragic events.
CBC News emphasizes its unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive coverage of the 9/11 attacks over the past 25 years, detailing the atrocities committed by al-Qaeda, the pursuit and prosecution of the perpetrators, the profound loss of lives, and the enduring grief experienced by countless individuals. In anticipation of the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11, CBC plans to deliver extensive and respectful coverage commemorating the magnitude of the tragedy.
The network’s approach to reporting on terrorism, both past and present, has consistently adhered to the principle of attribution, aligning with industry standards practiced by leading news organizations. Clarification on the use of the terms “terrorist” and “terrorism” can be found in a previous editor’s blog post, underscoring the meticulous approach taken by CBC in its reporting.
While recent discussions have sparked misconceptions about CBC’s stance on the nature of the 9/11 attacks, it is crucial to reiterate that the network has never disputed the classification of the events as terrorism. Rather, CBC has diligently presented the facts surrounding the motives and origins of the attacks in collaboration with official sources and investigations, ensuring accuracy and accountability through attribution.
In response to the recent scrutiny, CBC News has revisited its language guidelines to explicitly state that direct attribution is not mandatory when labeling the events of 9/11 as acts of terrorism, aiming to enhance clarity and public comprehension. Moving forward, as incidents of politically or ideologically driven violence continue to unfold globally, CBC remains committed to attributing causes and motivations to authoritative sources and experts to uphold journalistic integrity and transparency.