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The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation defends and then revises its 9/11 reporting guidelines to clarify the use of the term 'terrorism.'

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has issued a revised editorial guideline regarding the description of the September 11, 2001, attacks. This follows an internal memo from Basem Boshra, senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, which initially instructed reporters to avoid calling the events "terrorist attacks" without specific attribution. The memo sparked significant criticism from conservative figures and the public, who argued that the broadcaster was downplaying the historical reality of the event. In response to the outcry, the CBC announced that it would adjust the guidance to clarify that direct attribution is not required for describing the 9/11 attacks as terrorism. Basem Boshra noted that the broadcaster never intended to minimize the horror of the day, but rather sought to maintain a standard of journalistic caution. While the CBC will continue to require attribution for other global events, the new rule specifically simplifies the reporting for the 9/11 attacks to improve clarity and public understanding.

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