Do not refer to 9/11 as 'terror attacks,' leaked Canadian broadcaster memo instructs reporters

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.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has reportedly circulated a memo to reporters and editors instructing them: “Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks.”

This was first reported on by Canadian journalist Warren Kinsella, who received the memo, and then confirmed by the National Post, which also received a copy, as did other Canadian reporters.

According to the screenshot of the memo shared by Kinsella, the memo was authored by Basem Boshra, Senior Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust at CBC News, to reporters and editors.

In bold letters, Boshra states the attacks are not to be referred to as terrorist attacks.

He then continues by saying that “The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Manhattan. The World Trade Center (WTC in second reference) was destroyed."

A CBC spokeswoman told Kinsella: “CBC’s longstanding language guidance regarding the terms ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ is a preference for the use of these words with attribution, a practice shared by many of the world’s top journalistic organizations. Our general manager and editor-in-chief has written publicly in the past on the subject.”

Canadian MP Rachel Thomas said the memo is "absolutely shameful."

Memo 'downplays the atrocity of 9/11'

"The CBC is choosing to redefine terrorism in a way that downplays the atrocity of 9/11. Refusing to call it an act of terrorism dishonors the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders who witnessed the horrors of that day. 9/11 was an act of terrorism. Full stop."

In an October 2023 blog, Brodie Fenlon, CBC News editor-in-chief and general manager, said employees should “exercise extreme caution before using the words terrorist or terrorism."

“CBC News does not itself designate specific groups as terrorists, or specific acts as terrorism, regardless of the region or the events, because these words are so loaded with meaning, politics and emotion that they can end up being impediments to our journalism,” he said.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is the public broadcaster for both radio and television. It received over $1.5 billion in taxpayer funding in 2025-26.