The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced an internal policy update on September 6, 2025, clarifying its approach to describing the September 11, 2001, attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary. The change follows public and institutional criticism of an internal memo that instructed staff to avoid using the terms 'terrorist' or 'terrorism' when referring to the events.
CBC revises language guidance after controversy
The revised guidance, titled 'How and why CBC News will adjust its 9/11 language guidance', was published on the CBC’s official platforms and addresses concerns raised by the leak of an internal memo. The memo, authored by Basem Boshra, CBC News’ senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, had instructed reporters to describe the attacks as 'hijackings that led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Manhattan' rather than using the term 'terrorist attacks'. The World Trade Center was described as 'destroyed' in the memo.
The CBC stated that the confusion stemmed from the 'leak of an excerpt from its internal language guide without full context or explanation', which it said 'caused significant concern, anger, and hurt for many people'. The broadcaster emphasized its commitment to accurate reporting while acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue.
FBI Director condemns CBC’s original directive
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publicly criticized the CBC’s original language guidance. In a statement, FBI Director Christopher Wray called the directive 'a bastardization of history and an insult to the souls lost during our largest terrorist attack in U.S. history'. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra echoed Wray’s remarks, stating that 'failure to recognize and confront radical and terrorist ideologies significantly endangers our efforts to establish and harmonize a shared national and economic security partnership.'
The FBI and Hoekstra highlighted the bureau’s role in thwarting terrorist and criminal operations in Canada, framing the CBC’s language as a potential threat to security cooperation. The criticism was amplified on social media, where Hoekstra shared Wray’s comments.
CBC defends longstanding journalistic practice
In response, CBC Public Affairs Director Kerry Kelly stated that the broadcaster’s practice of exercising caution before using the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism' was not new and aligned with the approach of 'many of the world’s top journalistic organizations.' Kelly emphasized that the CBC’s role is to 'accurately report the facts, quote affected people, and convey the views of others' without imposing editorial judgment on terminology.
The CBC’s original memo, which surfaced ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, had instructed staff to avoid the terms 'terrorist' or 'terrorism' unless attributed to a specific source. The memo was first reported by Toronto Sun columnist Warren Kinsella, who described it as addressed to CBC News staff.
Background: The 9/11 attacks and their legacy
The September 11, 2001, attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and prompted significant changes in global security policies. The events are widely recognized as terrorist attacks by governments, intelligence agencies, and international organizations, including the United Nations and the U.S. government. The attacks were carried out by the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden.
The CBC’s policy update comes as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum prepares to observe the 25th remembrance of the attacks, coinciding with the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. The museum’s president, Elizabeth Hillman, has emphasized the critical need to educate nearly 100 million Americans born after 9/11 about the historical significance of the events and the national response.