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CBC Reverses Policy, Labels 9/11 Attacks Terrorism

8/30/2026

46 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

CBC News reversed its rule and will now label the September 11 attacks as terrorism.
The change follows a leaked memo from Basem Boshra that told staff to avoid the phrase “terrorist attacks.”
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Canada has always called 9/11 the deadliest terrorist attack.
CBC said the old policy hindered clarity, so it dropped the source-attribution requirement.

History

Historical Context

In September 1972, eight Black September militants seized the Israeli team at the Munich Olympics, killing eleven athletes and prompting the International Olympic Committee to condemn the attack. The tragedy led West German police chief Manfred Schreiber to direct the crisis response. CBC’s decision to label the September 11, 2001 attacks as terrorism echoes the terminology shift forced by the Munich massacre.

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Story summary

CBC News reversed its rule and will now label the September 11 attacks as terrorism.
The change follows a leaked memo from Basem Boshra that told staff to avoid the phrase “terrorist attacks.”
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Canada has always called 9/11 the deadliest terrorist attack.
CBC said the old policy hindered clarity, so it dropped the source-attribution requirement.

1 / 2