CBC Revises 9/11 Language Policy After U.S. Official Criticism

On August 31 2026, the Canadian public broadcaster announced that it will no longer require attribution when describing the September 11, 2001 attacks as “terrorism.” The shift overturns a long-standing guideline that limited the use of the term to contexts where a specific authority or source applied it.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

For years, CBC/Radio-Canada’s language guide instructed journalists to refer to the September 11 attacks, the 2005 London bombings, and the 2011 Moscow airport suicide bombing simply as “attacks,” reserving the word “terrorist” for quoted sources. The policy was defended as a way to avoid “politically or emotionally loaded” terminology that could impede neutral reporting.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

In the weeks leading up to the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the guideline attracted criticism from U.S. officials and Canadian politicians, who argued that the wording “sanitized” a historically recognized act of terrorism.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly said the broadcaster’s practice of “extreme caution” in using the words “terrorism” or “terrorist” was intended to maintain journalistic impartiality.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

Basem Boshra, senior director of journalistic standards and public trust at CBC, explained in a blog post that the revision “enhances clarity and public understanding” while the organization will continue to attribute causes and motivations to officials and experts when relevant.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

The policy change prompted sharp rebukes from several U.S. officials.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra also weighed in, sharing Patel’s post and warning 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.”

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

• “Any agency in Canada that doesn’t publicly reject this bastardization of history, and an insult to the souls lost during our largest terrorist attack in U.S. history will no longer have friend in this FBI,” — FBI Director Kash Patel

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

• “Failure to recognize and confront radical and terrorist ideologies significantly endangers our efforts to establish and harmonize a shared national and economic security partnership.” — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

• “That means they also tell the audience who has used it and in what context,” — Brodie Fenlon

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

• “Attribution of the word ‘terrorist’ has been our policy for decades — mirrored by other news organizations such as the BBC, AP, AFP and Reuters, among many others,” — Brodie Fenlon

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

CBC did not release the internal memo that originally outlined the attribution policy, despite requests from The Canadian Press. Consequently, the precise language of the former guideline and the internal rationale for its revision remain undocumented in the public record.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’

The revised language policy is now in effect, and CBC journalists are instructed to describe the September 11 attacks as “terrorism” without mandatory attribution. No further announcements about additional policy adjustments have been made.

After criticism, CBC changes policy that said not to label 9/11 attacks ‘terrorism’