The Republican National Committee (RNC) has decided to withdraw media accreditation from CBC/Radio-Canada journalists for their upcoming midterm convention in Dallas, Texas on September 9 and 10. This move was confirmed by Chuck Thompson, the head of public affairs at CBC, who expressed disappointment and hoped for a reconsideration of the decision.
Despite inquiries from CBC News, the convention organizers did not respond to requests for comment. The White House redirected questions to the RNC, which was unreachable by phone on Monday evening. This action by the RNC coincides with escalating tensions between Canada and the United States due to recent sanctions and verbal exchanges between politicians from both countries.
Criticism towards CBC intensified after an internal memo discussing the use of terms like “terrorism” in relation to the 9/11 attacks was leaked and gained international attention. The memo, which urged caution in labeling specific events as “terrorist acts,” sparked controversy ahead of the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11.
In response to the backlash, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, Basem Boshra, announced revisions to the language guidance to clarify that direct attribution is not necessary when describing the historical events of 9/11 as terrorism. This adjustment aims to enhance clarity and public comprehension, addressing concerns raised by critics, including Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials.
