The media accreditation granted to CBC/Radio-Canada by the Republican Party for their upcoming midterm convention has been rescinded. Chuck Thompson, the head of public affairs at CBC, confirmed on Monday that the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to withdraw accreditation for CBC/Radio-Canada journalists who were scheduled to cover the convention in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10. Thompson mentioned in a written statement that CBC was evaluating the RNC’s action and expressed disappointment, hoping for a reconsideration.
Despite multiple email requests from CBC News, the convention organizers did not respond to comments on Monday evening. The White House redirected CBC’s inquiries to the RNC, which could not be reached by phone that same evening. This development occurs as tensions between Canada and the United States escalate due to recent sanctions and contentious exchanges between politicians on both sides of the border.
Following a leaked internal memo from CBC regarding the terminology used to describe the 9/11 attacks, Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials criticized the public broadcaster. The memo highlighted a policy directing CBC journalists to avoid labeling specific attacks as “terrorist acts” unless attributed as such, drawing international attention and condemnation ahead of the upcoming 25-year anniversary of 9/11.
In response to the backlash, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, Basem Boshra, stated on Friday that they would adjust their language guidance to clarify that direct attribution is not mandatory when describing the historic events of 9/11 as terrorism. This adjustment aims to enhance clarity and public comprehension, addressing concerns raised by critics.