FBI Director Criticizes CBC's 9/11 Terrorism Reporting Policy

FBI Director Kash Patel has strongly criticized the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s editorial directive instructing journalists to avoid using the term “terrorist attacks” when covering the September 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States.

A memo obtained by media outlets and shared by Toronto Sun columnist Warren Kinsella instructed CBC News staff to refrain from labeling the events as terrorism. Instead, the memo suggested using neutral descriptions such as “hijackings” and “passenger jet crashes” when referring to the al-Qaeda-orchestrated assaults on Washington, D.C., New York City, and Pennsylvania.

“Do not refer to the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist attacks,” wrote Basem Boshra, CBC News senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, in the internal communication. “The hijackings led to passenger jet crashes in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Manhattan. The World Trade Center was destroyed.”

Director Patel responded on social media, calling the directive a “bastardization of history” and an “insult to the souls lost” during the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. He warned that any Canadian agency refusing to publicly reject the policy would lose cooperation with the FBI. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra echoed Patel’s concerns, emphasizing that the FBI has played a key role in countering threats to Canadian and American security.

The CBC defended its policy, stating it aims to avoid loaded language that could compromise journalistic neutrality. In a statement, CBC Public Affairs Director Kerry Kelly said the broadcaster exercises caution before using terms such as “terrorist” or “terrorism,” often requiring third-party attribution to maintain objectivity. She noted that many major international news organizations follow similar practices.

Canadian Conservative MPs criticized the directive. Rachel Thomas, the party’s shadow minister for Canadian Identity and Culture, called the decision “shameful,” citing that 24 Canadians were among the victims of the al-Qaeda attacks. She argued that refusing to identify the acts as terrorism dishonors the victims and survivors and accused the CBC of attempting to “sanitize history.”

Another Conservative MP, Andrew Lawton, described the policy as “truly disgusting” and argued that taxpayers should not fund an institution that avoids clear terminology about such atrocities. The CBC receives significant federal funding, with $1.38 billion allocated for the fiscal year 2026–2027.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has consistently defended the CBC as a vital Canadian institution and pillar of national identity. However, the broadcaster has faced repeated scrutiny over its language policies. In late 2023, it faced backlash for instructing journalists not to use the term “terrorist” when describing Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. The CBC’s ombudsman later ruled that the practice did not breach its standards.

While CBC maintains its policy reflects a commitment to neutral reporting, critics argue that clarity in language is essential when recounting historical atrocities.

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