BBC edits out word 'terrorist' from early coverage of London bombings

Posted by Bertrand Pecquerie on July 12, 2005 at 4:33 PM

According to MediaBulletin UK, "The BBC edited the word 'terrorist' out of its early coverage of the bombings in London on Thursday because the word is seen as going against the corporation's editorial guidelines. Staff at the BBC were reminded in an email that they should use the word "bomber" instead.

One headline on the BBC News website initially appeared as "Bus man may have see terrorist" and also used the word "terrorist" in the story. Later, however, this same story appeared on the site with the headline: "Passenger believes he saw bomber". There was also a new introduction omitting the word "terrorist".

The BBC's guidelines state: "The word 'terrorist' itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. We should try to avoid the term, without attribution. We should let other people characterise while we report the facts as we know them." However, the move has lead to criticism of the BBC, with the Daily Telegraph reporting that Rod Liddle, former editor of BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, has accused it of "institutionalised political correctness" in its coverage of British Muslims.

Hours after the bombs went off on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was fairly clear that the attacks were the work of terrorists... The BBC has denied that there is a ban on the use of the word "terrorist".

Source: MediaBulletin (UK)

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