BBC - use of the word 'terrorist' problematic

BBC takes a stance on the word 'terrorism' saying its emotive and difficult. Photo / Getty Images

The BBC does not use the word 'terrorists' to describe murdering Islamist fanatics

Its guidelines advise avoiding the word 'terrorism' because it is 'a difficult and emotive subject with significant political overtones'

In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, Tarik Kafala, head of BBC Arabic, said 'terrorist' was too 'loaded' and 'value laden'

Jihadists involved in the 2013 Kenyan shopping mall siege in which 63 people died were called 'Islamist militants' and 'suspected Al-Shabaab militants'

In February 2012, BBC bosses were criticised after journalists were told not to describe hate cleric Abu Qatada as an 'extremist'.

Reporters were told to avoid making a 'value judgment' and said Qatada - described by a judge as 'Al Qaeda's spiritual leader in Europe' - should be referred to as a 'radical'

- Daily Mail