The BBC has faced criticism over its recent coverage of the 9/11 anniversary, with some accusing the broadcaster of emphasizing Islamophobia rather than focusing on the terrorist attacks themselves. The anniversary marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, a day that reshaped global security and counterterrorism policies.

During programming on Radio 4’s Today programme, a Muslim interviewee discussed the impact of the attacks on Muslim communities, noting that many were viewed through the lens of terrorism and faced questioning about their faith and loyalty to British values in the aftermath. A BBC correspondent reporting from the 9/11 memorial site in New York highlighted that the city now has its first Muslim mayor, while also pointing out a rise in discrimination against Muslim Americans and growing anti-Muslim sentiment from right-wing factions.

Coverage on both the BBC Six O’Clock News and News at Ten included a feature on a man who lost his brother, a Muslim American police cadet, during the attacks. He attributed ongoing right-wing rhetoric as contributing to the pain experienced by Muslim communities.

However, some former journalists have expressed strong disapproval of the BBC’s editorial choices. Former BBC journalist Catherine Leng criticized the coverage for its language, noting that terms such as “Islamophobia,” “disproportionate overreach,” and “Muslim communities” were highlighted, while references to “Islamist terrorists” were notably absent. Similarly, former Sky journalist Colin Brazier accused the BBC of avoiding direct association of Islam with the 9/11 attacks and accused the broadcaster of framing the event in a way that implied Western complicity or blame.

A Westminster source described the BBC’s approach as inappropriate, comparing it to “starting D-Day memorials by remembering the plight of the Nazis,” reflecting views that the focus should primarily remain on condemning the terrorism rather than addressing broader social and political ramifications related to Muslim communities.

The debate underscores ongoing tensions in how media organisations cover sensitive anniversaries, balancing remembrance of the victims and direct acknowledgment of the perpetrators alongside the social issues that have arisen in their aftermath. The BBC has yet to respond formally to the criticisms regarding its 9/11 anniversary coverage.