---
title: "CBC guidance on calling 9/11 'terrorist attacks' draws criticism"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/media/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism"
category: "Media"
published: "2026-08-28T09:45:52.521Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-28T09:00:04.357Z"
updated: "2026-08-28T09:45:52.521Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 51
hype_score: 65
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-28T10:30:12.218961+00:00"
---

# CBC guidance on calling 9/11 'terrorist attacks' draws criticism

*Canadian broadcaster reportedly advises journalists to avoid the term without attribution, sparking debate.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to an internal memo, with a named executive and a quote from a CBC spokesperson.
- Craft 51 of 100, higher is better. The story includes quotes from affected parties and explains the context of the CBC's policy.
- Hype 65 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and language in many digests suggest manufactured outrage and a 'woke' agenda.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- CBC reportedly issued internal guidance advising journalists not to use the term 'terrorist attacks' for 9/11 without attribution.
- The guidance suggests alternative phrasing such as 'the hijackings led to passenger jet crashes'.
- CBC's director of public affairs stated the broadcaster prefers attribution for the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism'.
- Canadian politicians and media watchdogs have criticised the alleged guidance as disrespectful and an attempt to rewrite history.

Canada's public broadcaster, the CBC, has reportedly issued internal guidance advising journalists not to refer to the September 11 attacks as 'terrorist attacks' unless attributed to a source. The guidance, allegedly from Basem Boshra, senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, suggests alternative phrasing such as 'the hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Manhattan'.

The reported instruction comes as the CBC prepares coverage for the 25th anniversary of the attacks. According to reports, the guidance also noted that 'The World Trade Center was destroyed,' directing staff to CBC's internal language standards. The broadcaster's general manager and editor-in-chief, Brodie Fenlon, previously stated in a blog that CBC does not designate groups or acts as terrorist because the terms are 'loaded with meaning, politics and emotion' and can impede journalism. Fenlon advised journalists to generally avoid referring to specific assaults as terrorist acts unless attributed.

## Disagreement on guidance

CBC's director of public affairs, Kerry Kelly, stated that it is 'wholly inaccurate to state our journalists have been urged to declare that this was not a terrorist act.' She said the broadcaster 'regularly send reminders about adherence to CBC’s longstanding language guidance regarding the terms ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’,' and that CBC prefers to use these words with attribution to credible sources. She further alleged the memo served as a 'reminder' of the broadcaster’s 'longstanding practice' to use these terms with attribution.

## What the coverage left out

None of the reports below mention the specific figure of 3,000 people killed in the September 11 attacks, which was stated in the full report from Internewscast.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 31 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 7% (2)
- Centre: 6% (2)
- Right: 87% (27)

8 of 39 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-28T10:30:12.218961+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-28T11:15:10.095Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led on the core instruction from CBC. One report stated that CBC News had 'instructed journalists not to call the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks without citing sources.' Another report stated that the 'Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Says 9/11 Is not Terrorism'.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the leaked memo and the resulting criticism. One report stated that 'Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, CBC journalists were reportedly told to avoid describing the attacks as “terrorist attacks,” drawing criticism in Canada.' Another report highlighted that the 'Canadian broadcaster tells staff not to call 9/11 terror attacks'.

### Right

- Right-rated reports frequently highlighted the source of the alleged guidance and the criticism it generated. Many reports used phrases such as 'Canada Broadcasting Corporation Orders Staff NOT to Refer to 9/11 as a “Terrorist Attack”' or 'Canadian State Media Tells Journalists: "Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks"'. Several reports quoted Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, who stated that refusing to call it an act of terrorism 'dishonors' victims and first responders and that trying to 'sanitize or rewrite that history is deeply offensive'.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 7
- mixed: 13
- high: 10
- unknown: 8

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [unn.ua](https://unn.ua/news/cbc-news-zaboronyv-nazyvaty-podii-11-veresnia-2001-roku-teraktamy) — CBC News Banned From Calling the Events of September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks
- [The Hub](https://thehub.ca/2026/08/28/the-cbc-wont-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack-and-your-tax-dollars-are-paying-for-it) — The CBC won’t call 9/11 a ‘terrorist attack’—and your tax dollars are paying for it
- [i24NEWS](https://i24news.tv/en/news/international/americas/artc-canadian-broadcasting-corporation-reportedly-advises-reporters-to-avoid-calling-9-11-terrorism) — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reportedly advises reporters to avoid calling 9/11 'terrorism'
- [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/swiat/news-dostali-wytyczne-przed-11-wrzesnia-nie-nazywajmy-tego-terror,nIdn,1015448) — They Were Given Guidelines Before September 11th. "Let's Not Call It terrorism."
- [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/08/28/cbc-tells-staff-not-to-refer-to-9-11-as-terrorist-attack) — CBC Tells Staff Not To Refer To 9/11 As ‘Terrorist Attack’
- [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/observe/terakt-11-veresnja-teper-ne-terakt-kanadskij-movnik-dav-zhurnalistam-novi-vkazivki-1139303.html) — Isn't the 11th of September a “Terrorist Attack” Now? Canadian Movnik Gave Journalists New Messages
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/news/world/canadian-broadcaster-cbc-staff-911-terrorist-attack-coverage) — Canadian broadcaster orders staff not to refer to 9/11 as 'terrorist attack' in coverage
- [WLTReport](https://wltreport.com/2026/08/27/canada-broadcasting-corporation-orders-staff-not-to-refer-to-9-11-as-a-terrorist-attack) — Canada Broadcasting Corporation Orders Staff NOT to Refer to 9/11 as a “Terrorist Attack”
- [The Last Refuge](https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/08/27/canadian-state-media-tells-journalists-do-not-refer-to-the-sept-11-attacks-as-terrorist-attacks) — Canadian State Media Tells Journalists: "Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks"
- [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/08/27/canadian-public-broadcaster-tells-journalists-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack) — Canadian Public Broadcaster Tells Journalists Not to Call 9/11 a ‘Terrorist Attack.’
- [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/the-media/2026/08/27/canadian-broadcasting-corp-tells-staff-not-refer-9-11-as-terrorist-attack) — Canadian Broadcasting Corp Tells Staff Not to Refer to 9/11 as ‘Terrorist Attack’
- [ThePress United | International News Analysis, Viewpoint](https://thepressunited.com/updates/canadas-state-tv-orders-staff-not-to-call-9-11-terrorism-media) — Canada’s state TV orders staff not to call 9/11 ‘terrorism’ – media - The Press United
- [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/accountability/media/canadian-broadcasting-corporation-tells-staff-not-refer-911-terror-attacks) — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation tells staff not to refer to 9/11 as terror attacks in coverage
- [torontotelegraph.com](https://torontotelegraph.com/news/279269855/canadas-state-tv-orders-staff-not-to-call-911-terrorism-media) — Canadas state TV orders staff not to call 9/11 terrorism media
- [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/cbc-tells-canadian-journalists-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack) — CBC tells Canadian journalists not to call 9/11 a terrorist attack
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/media/cbc-tells-journalists-not-call-9-11-terrorist-attacks-internal-guidance) — CBC tells journalists not to call 9/11 ‘terrorist attacks’ in internal guidance
- [BARE NAKED ISLAM](https://barenakedislam.com/2026/08/27/journalists-at-canadas-taxpayer-funded-state-broadcaster-cbc-have-been-ordered-not-to-refer-to-9-11-as-a-terrorist-attack) — Journalists at Canada’s taxpayer-funded state broadcaster (CBC) have been ordered NOT to refer to 9/11 as a “terrorist attack”
- [matzav.com](https://matzav.com/outrage-in-canada-after-cbc-tells-journalists-not-to-call-9-11-attacks-terrorism) — Outrage in Canada After CBC Tells Journalists Not to Call 9/11 Attacks ‘Terrorism’
- [NewsBusters](https://newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2026/08/27/terrorist-censored-911-stories-canadian-public) — ‘Terrorist’ Censored From 9/11 Stories by Canadian Public Broadcasting
- [LifeSiteNews](https://lifesitenews.com/news/canadian-journalists-warned-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack) — Canadian journalists warned not to call 9/11 a ‘terrorist attack’
- [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/outrage-after-alleged-leaked-memo-canadian-broadcasting-corporation) — Outrage After Alleged Leaked Memo from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Instructs Reporters to Not Refer to 9/11 as ‘Terror Attacks’ * The Gateway Pundit * by Margaret Flavin
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/08/27/media/canadas-cbc-instructs-staff-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack-in-news-coverage) — Canada’s CBC instructs staff not to call 9/11 a ‘terrorist attack’ in news coverage
- [Hot Air](https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/08/27/canadian-broadcaster-do-not-refer-to-911-as-a-terrorist-attack-n3818433) — Canadian Broadcaster: Do Not Refer to 9/11 As a Terrorist Attack
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/08/27/canadian-news-outlet-releases-new-hyper-woke-guidance-in-bid-to-rewrite-the-history-of-911-n2206163) — Top Canadian News Outlet Tries to Rewrite History of 9/11 With Hyper-Woke Guidance
- [Rebel News](http://rebelnews.com/rebel_roundup_august_27_2026) — CBC says 9/11 not a terror attack, Trade war escalation, Western provinces respond
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/canadian-broadcaster-tells-staff-not-to-call-9-11-terror-attacks) — Canadian Broadcaster Tells Staff Not to Call 9/11 Terror Attacks
- [The Western Journal](https://westernjournal.com/canadas-natl-broadcaster-bans-calling-9-11-terror-attacks-instead-hijackings-led-passenger-air-crashes) — Canada's Nat'l Broadcaster Bans Calling 9/11 'Terror Attacks': Instead, 'Hijackings Led to Passenger Air Crashes'
- [National Review](https://nationalreview.com/news/canadian-broadcast-network-tells-staff-not-to-refer-to-9-11-as-a-terrorist-attack) — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Tells Staff Not to Refer to 9/11 as a Terrorist Attack
- [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/print/report-canadian-broadcasting-corporation-dictates-that-9-11-cannot-be-called-a-terror-attack) — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Says 9/11 Is not Terrorism
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-906796) — Do not refer to 9/11 as 'terror attacks,' leaked Canadian broadcaster memo instructs reporters
- [The Post Millennial](https://thepostmillennial.com/cbc-tells-reporters-to-call-9-11-terror-attacks-hijackings-led-to-passenger-jet-crashes-not-terrorist-attacks) — CBC tells reporters to call 9/11 terror attacks ‘hijackings led to passenger jet crashes’—not ‘terrorist attacks’
- [echo24.cz](https://echo24.cz/a/HfwWh/zpravy-svet-prepisovani-historie-cbc-nechce-psat-o-11-zari-jako-o-teroristicky-utok) — "Do Not Label September 11 as a Terrorist Attack," the Television Urged in a Memorandum
- [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/rick-moran/2026/08/27/canadian-tv-has-instructed-its-news-staff-not-to-refer-to-the-911-attacks-as-terrorism-n4956595) — Canadian Broadcasting Instructs Staff Not to Refer to the 9/11 Attacks As 'Terrorism'
- [Bild](https://bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/schock-ueber-sprach-regel-kanadas-oerr-nennt-11-september-nicht-mehr-terror-6a8ff11a14f40f555e0a32d9) — Shock over Voice Rule: Canada's Radio No Longer Calls September 11 "Terror"
- [National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/cbc-staff-9-1-1-terroris-terrorist-attack) — CBC tells staff not to call 9/11 a 'terrorist attack'
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/cbc-tells-staff-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack) — CBC tells staff not to call 9/11 a ‘terrorist attack’
- [GrowCola.com](https://growcola.com/cbc-tells-staff-not-to-call-9-11-a-terrorist-attack) — CBC tells staff not to call 9/11 a ‘terrorist attack’
- [Toronto Sun](https://torontosun.com/uncategorized/news-of-the-day-august-26-2026) — News of the day: KINSELLA: 9/11 wasn't a 'terrorist attack,' according to the CBC
- [Twitchy](https://twitchy.com/brettt/2026/08/26/toronto-sun-columnist-new-memo-tells-cbc-journalists-not-to-refer-to-911-as-a-terrorist-attack-n2431730) — Toronto Sun Columnist: New Memo Tells CBC Journalists Not to Refer to 9/11 As a Terrorist Attack

## Questions

**What is the CBC reportedly advising its journalists about referring to 9/11?**

CBC has reportedly issued internal guidance advising journalists not to refer to the September 11 attacks as 'terrorist attacks' without attribution. The guidance suggests alternative phrasing such as 'the hijackings led to passenger jet crashes'.

**How has the CBC responded to the reports about the guidance?**

CBC's director of public affairs stated it is inaccurate to say journalists have been urged not to declare 9/11 a terrorist act. She said the broadcaster exercises caution and prefers attribution for the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism'.

**Who has criticised the alleged guidance?**

Canadian politicians, including Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, and media watchdogs have criticised the alleged guidance. They argue it is disrespectful to victims and an attempt to rewrite history.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "CBC guidance on calling 9/11 'terrorist attacks' draws criticism", https://mediabias.news/media/cbc-guidance-on-calling-911-terrorist-attacks-draws-criticism