The media accreditation for CBC/Radio-Canada journalists to cover the Republican Party’s upcoming midterm convention has been withdrawn by the Republican National Committee (RNC). This decision was confirmed by Chuck Thompson, CBC’s head of public affairs, on Monday. The convention is scheduled to take place on September 9 and 10 in Dallas, Texas. CBC is currently reviewing the RNC’s decision and expressed disappointment, hoping for a reconsideration.
Despite CBC News’ efforts to obtain comments from convention organizers, there has been no immediate response. The White House redirected CBC’s inquiries to the RNC, which could not be reached by phone on Monday evening. This development occurs amidst escalating tensions between Canada and the United States due to recent sanctions and political rhetoric.
Criticism towards CBC arose from Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials following a leaked internal memo discussing the terminology surrounding the 9/11 attacks. The memo outlined CBC’s policy instructing journalists to avoid labeling specific attacks as “terrorist acts” unless the term is attributed. This directive drew international attention and condemnation ahead of the upcoming 25th-anniversary commemoration of 9/11.
In response to the backlash, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, Basem Boshra, announced adjustments to the language guidance. The clarification stated that direct attribution is not mandatory when describing the historical events of 9/11 as terrorism. This change aims to enhance clarity and public understanding, addressing unintentional obstacles that had emerged.
The situation remains dynamic as CBC continues to navigate its relationship with the RNC and the broader implications of the media accreditation revocation.