The Republican Party has decided to withdraw CBC/Radio-Canada’s media accreditation for their upcoming midterm convention. Chuck Thompson, the head of public affairs at CBC, confirmed this development on Monday, stating that the Republican National Committee (RNC) would not grant accreditation to CBC/Radio-Canada journalists for the convention scheduled in Dallas, Texas on September 9 and 10. Thompson expressed disappointment in the RNC’s decision and mentioned that CBC was evaluating the situation, hoping for a reconsideration.
Despite CBC News’ attempts to reach out to convention organizers for comments, there was no immediate response on Monday evening. The White House redirected CBC’s inquiries to the RNC, which could not be reached by phone that same evening.
This move comes amidst escalating tensions between Canada and the United States due to increasing sanctions and contentious rhetoric from politicians on both sides of the border. Recent criticisms from Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials directed at CBC stemmed from an internal memo leak concerning the use of “terrorism” related terms in connection to the 9/11 attacks, drawing international attention.
The memo outlined a policy advising CBC journalists to avoid labeling specific attacks as “terrorist acts” unless explicitly stated. This policy faced widespread criticism ahead of the upcoming 25th-anniversary commemoration of 9/11 next month.
After a review of the language guidance, Basem Boshra, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, announced that adjustments would be made to clarify that direct attribution is not mandatory when describing the historical events of 9/11 as terrorism. This decision aims to enhance clarity and public comprehension, addressing unintentional barriers that had arisen.
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