Why does CNN, AP, etc write terrorists with quotations?

Question

i.e.

Today Middle East "Terrorists" is this to downplay the term? Is this a liberal way of being PC?

Answer 1

This would depend on who is terming these people terrorists.

Often the term is applied for propaganda reasons to people who do not employ terror as a strategy or tactic.

Just because someone is against some entity, this does not mean they are a terrorist.

Also, one person's terrorist might be another person's patriot.  Back to the old question, "Was George Washington a terrorist?"

You might get better responses if you gave a few CNN or AP examples of the use of "terrorists" in news articles.  

Please contact me if I can help you.

Answer 2

don,t  know

Answer 3

It's either use quote marks or say 'alleged terrorists'

Normally, they do not do this, if they are known. If they aren't or are alleged terrorists they state that.