Hon. Daryl Fridhandler: Media reports over this past summer revealed an internal directive provided to journalists at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or CBC, regarding language surrounding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the face of public outcry, CBC quickly reversed the specific directive that instructed journalists to avoid the use of the term “terrorist attack” and, instead, use the term “hijacking.” Given that the CBC receives more than a billion dollars annually in public funding, does the government believe Canadians have the right to know all editorial and language directives provided to journalists at their public broadcaster, and will it legislate for full public disclosure of those internal guidelines?

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, Senator Fridhandler, and thank you for clarifying the fact that CBC did end up describing 9/11 as terrorism. Canadians know that 9/11 was the deadliest terrorist attack in history and a horrific memory for many Canadians, notably those who lost loved ones.

The Government of Canada unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms. There is no cause for events or ideology that justify the deliberate targeting of civilians. It would be inappropriate for parliamentarians or the government to get involved in the editorial line of the news agency. CBC/Radio-Canada holds high standards of journalistic integrity, and it is my understanding that CBC has a long-standing policy to avoid labelling specific acts as terrorism without attribution and that this has become a general journalistic practice to ensure journalistic neutrality when reporting on international acts of violence.

Senator Fridhandler: I reluctantly disagree. If the government will not prescribe the publication of these guidelines, what mechanism exists for Canadians to understand internal editorial directives at a publicly funded institution operating on their behalf? Senator Moreau, I see this just as essential as the labelling requirements on the food we consume. Essentially, how are we to know what is in the news we consume?

Senator Moreau: If I’m not mistaken, your colleague Senator Miville-Dechêne worked for Radio-Canada. Maybe she can guide you on what is going on inside Radio-Canada. As far as CBC is concerned, as I mentioned, I don’t think it would be wise for political involvement into the editorial standards of CBC/Radio-Canada.