Why can't the BBC use the word terrorist? Guidelines force reporters to describe Kenyan mall attackers as 'militants'

In coverage of the violence at the Westgate mall in Nairobi which has killed more than 60 the Corporation's journalists have repeatedly described the attackers as 'Islamic militants'.

It is understood that BBC guidance issued to staff tells them to avoid using the term 'terrorist' without attribution, but politicians have reacted with anger to the choice of language.

Beating around the bush? BBC News coverage of the violence in Nairobi, Kenya, has repeatedly referred to the perpetrators as 'militants', rather than the using the word terrorists, leading to criticism from politicians

Rob Wilson, the Tory MP for Reading East, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying that the BBC was 'out of touch' with the public over the issue.

'Most members of the British public would see the planned and systematic murder of dozens of innocent people in Kenya as terrorism,' he said.

'Sadly, the BBC looks like it has made a bad judgement call on this and is out of touch with ordinary people on a very important issue.'

 

In four news bulletins this morning, Neal Sleat, newsreader on Radio 4's today programme, did not use the word 'terrorist' once.

Instead he referred to the culprits as 'Islamic militants', while reporters on the BBC website describes those responsible as 'suspected al-Shabab militants'.

BBC News presenter Ben Brown delivers the headlines: It is understood that BBC guidance issued to staff tells them to avoid using the term 'terrorist' without attribution, but politicians have reacted with anger

The BBC has come under fire before for apparent influence of political correctness on the choice of language in its journalism. 

In January it was criticised for calling the gang behind the Algeria hostage killings ‘militants’ rather than ‘terrorists’.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said he was disappointed that the broadcaster was ‘consistently’ using the term.

The BBC has specific guidance about the word terrorist, warning its reporters that it can imply value judgements. In one report on its website about the attack at BP's gas plant, it described the killers as ‘militants’ 12 times.

 The word ‘terrorist’ appeared only in a quote.

Mr Bridgen quizzed David Cameron on the issue and the Prime Minister agreed that he had a ‘good point’. He added: ‘These are terrorists and they should be described as such.’

Terrorists: A picture circulating on Twitter which is believed to show the gunmen in the Westgate mall

Prior to that, in 2011's summer riots, the BBC repeatedly referred to rioters as 'protesters' - even as they were filmed looting shops and attacking police.

The BBC told the Telegraph it had issued no specific guidance to reporters covering the Westgate mall attack, and denied that it banned words.

'The BBC has referred to the events as a terror attack and has at times referred to the attackers as terrorists and at other times as militants or used other phrases, which are accurate and help tell the story,' said a spokesman.

Read more:

• The Telegraph | BBC under pressure to change guidelines preventing use of the word "terrorist"