The BBC has faced criticism for its coverage of the 9/11 anniversary, with accusations that it emphasized Islamophobia rather than the terrorist acts that defined the event. Critics contend the broadcaster's reporting shifted focus away from the perpetrators and instead highlighted discrimination against Muslim communities.
One Westminster source likened the BBC's approach to "starting D-Day memorials by remembering the plight of the Nazis." This sentiment reflects a broader concern that the coverage did not adequately address the Islamist terrorism behind the attacks.
During a segment on Radio 4's Today programme, a Muslim interviewee stated, "We were viewed through the lens of terrorism. Sadly there were questions about our faith and whether we share British values." This highlights the personal impact of how 9/11 and its aftermath were discussed.
Reporting from the New York memorial for News at Ten, a BBC correspondent noted the city's first Muslim mayor and contrasted this with "a record rise in discrimination and increased anti-Muslim sentiment from voices on the Right" experienced by Muslim Americans. The main report on both the Six O’Clock News and News at Ten featured a man who lost his brother, a Muslim American police cadet, in the tragedy. He described right-wing commentary as "the kind of rhetoric which adds to the pain."
Former BBC journalist Catherine Leng pointed out the specific vocabulary used in the BBC's coverage, stating, "Words I heard on BBC News in its coverage: Islamophobia, disproportionate overreach, Muslim communities. Words I have not heard: Islamist terrorists." This observation underscores the perceived omission of key terminology related to the attackers.
Colin Brazier, a former Sky journalist, asserted that the BBC appeared "determined not to use the word ‘Islam’ in connection with 9/11 but rather to turn it into another chance to…hint that the West got what it deserved." He suggested the coverage implied a critique of Western actions rather than a clear condemnation of the terrorist event itself.