# CBC journalistic policy controversy regarding 9/11 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cbc-journalistic-policy-controversy-regarding-911 > Updated: 2026-08-29T01:06:48.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) faced significant backlash following the leak of an internal memo regarding its terminology for the September 11 attacks. The directive, issued by Basem Boshra, senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, instructed journalists to avoid the term ‘terrorist attacks,’ suggesting instead clinical descriptions such as ‘hijackings that led to passenger jet crashes.’ Critics, including U.S. FBI Director Kash Patel and Canadian Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, condemned the policy. Patel described the guidance as a ‘bastardization of history,’ while Thomas stated it ‘dishonours the victims.’ Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree also noted that labeling the 9/11 attacks as terrorism is a matter of Canadian law. In response to the criticism from politicians, Jewish organizations, and victims' families, the CBC announced a policy change. The broadcaster will now explicitly label the September 11 attacks as terrorism. Basem Boshra stated this exception aims to remove an ‘impediment to clarity and public understanding.’ While making this specific exception for 9/11, the CBC maintained that for other acts of violence, it will continue to attribute motivations to officials and experts to uphold journalistic standards. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-29: CBC changes policy to label 9/11 attacks as terrorism CBC/Radio-Canada will now label the September 11 attacks as terrorism, reversing a policy that previously required journalists to attribute such labels to outside sources. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbc-changes-policy-to-label-911-attacks-as-terrorism ### 2026-08-27: CBC reverses policy on 9/11 'terrorist attack' terminology after backlash The CBC has reversed a controversial policy instructing journalists not to call the 9/11 attacks 'terrorist attacks' following backlash from the FBI and Canadian lawmakers. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbc-news-instructs-staff-not-to-use-term-terrorist-attacks-for-911 --- Cite as: CBC journalistic policy controversy regarding 9/11. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cbc-journalistic-policy-controversy-regarding-911