The British Broadcasting Corporation is reportedly discouraging the use of the word “terror” in its news reports, a move that has been met with backlash.
Journalists will be told to avoid use of the word to describe the attacks unless directly quoting a source, according to the Daily Mail. Instead of calling them “terror” attacks, BBC is urging its reporters to use the location and method of attack to describe the incidents in an effort to avoid bias.
“It boils down to that phrase, ‘One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter,’” a senior news source told the outlet.
BBC reporters are already advised to avoid using the words “terrorism” and “terrorist” and instead use words such as “militant” or “jihadist.”
“Terrorism is a difficult and emotive subject with significant political overtones,” BBC guidelines read.
Conservative Member of Parliament Andrew Bridgen, 54, criticized the move and said he worried it would reduce the gravity of attacks.
“They are terrorists and these are terror attacks. The BBC should not try to sanitize the behavior of terrorists by not calling it out,” Bridgen said.
A BBC spokesman said that “people should wait to read the editorial guidelines.”