The IRA and the BBC

Another one you can chalk up to president Bush and our worldwide War on Terror: "IRA says armed campaign is over" The BBC notes their murdering rampage armed campaign, the BBC elaborates.

During the Northern Ireland Troubles, the IRA murdered about 1,800 civilians and members of the security forces.

Described as a "paramilitary group" and "a republican organization," "republicans," or the "Provisional IRA," and promising an end to the "armed campaign," the BBC does not once call them terrorists, unlike the U.S.

A White House statement said the words must now be followed by actions and acknowledged there would be scepticism, particularly among victims and their families.

"They will want to be certain that this terrorism and criminality are indeed things of the past," the statement said. The statement added that it understood from the IRA communique that "the IRA and its members will no longer have any contact with any foreign paramilitary and terrorist organisations".

When you admit that they murdered about 1800 civilians and members of the security forces and can't bring yourself to call them terrorists, the BBC has no business calling itself a news organization.

Maybe it's just me, but I see it as a sign that the IRA terrorists know they can no longer hide behind media self-censorship to shield them.

UPDATE: It appears that the IRA, now that they are disbanding, are no longer heroes to the Toronto Sun either. But, at least, the Sun calls their acts terrorism.