The CBC’s 9/11 Language Controversy

As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the CBC’s longstanding policy towards reporting on acts of terrorism suddenly became an international story.

A leaked internal CBC memo that instructed journalists not to refer to 9/11 as a terrorist attack without attribution sparked backlash on both sides of the border. 

In the context of the trade war, CBC’s journalistic policy became a flashpoint for Republicans, with US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra suggesting it further jeopardized trade relations between Canada and the US. 

Jen Gerson of The Line joins Julian Abraham to explain how the CBC escalated trade war tensions (even if it didn’t intend to) and what happens next now that the CBC changed its policy towards 9/11. 

Host: Julian Abraham

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jen Gerson

Photo: Ken Lund

Further reading: 

• 9/11 wasn't a 'terrorist attack,' according to the CBC | Toronto Sun 
• How and why CBC News will adjust its 9/11 language guidance - CBC
• How CBC News uses the words 'terrorist,' 'terrorism' - CBC
• CBC changed its terrorism policy for 9/11—but still not for Hamas - Canadian Jewish News
• The CBC’s 9/11 terrorism scandal revealed the public broadcaster is operating in a separate reality than the public - The Hub 
• Opinion: CBC's refusal to distinguish between terrorism and war shows it can't think critically - National Post
• Avi Benlolo: CBC's editorial choices around Islamic terror need to be investigated - National Post
• Some voters alarmed by self-declaration requirement on mail-in ballots for Alberta referendum | CBC News
• N.S. energy minister resigns after backlash over misogynistic rap lyrics - Halifax | Globalnews.ca  

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