Popular Articles
Today Week Month Year


Egypt’s online censorship reaches new heights with plans to criminalize posting weather “misinformation”
By News Editors // Apr 06, 2023

The Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee of the Parliament of Egypt approved draft legislation to give the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) the authority to fine people for posting “misinformation” about the weather.

(Article by Cindy Harper republished from ReclaimTheNet.org)

Misinformation about the weather would result in a fine of up to and LE 5 million ($161.8,000)

The aim of the law is to reduce the posting of information that may cause harm to the economy. A member of the committee, Emad al-Dargali said that the legislation was approved to improve the quality of meteorological services, encourage research, and attract foreign investments.

According to the Egypt Independent, Dargali said there are pages on social media and news websites that post false information about the weather and spread misinformation on economic issues. He added that the legislation will be put to a vote before the end of the current plenary session.

Former EMA head Ahmed Abdel-Aal said that many non-specialists have been posting meteorological news under various names, and that these non-specialists post false information and rumors that could cause confusion.

Over the past decade, Egypt has undergone significant political turmoil and transformation, which has had a direct impact on the state of internet freedom and censorship in the country.

In recent years, the government has taken steps to regulate and control the flow of information online, which has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and free speech advocates.

The Arab Spring in early 2011 brought the issue of internet censorship to the forefront in Egypt.

As citizens took to the streets to demand political change, the government, under then-President Hosni Mubarak, responded by shutting down the internet and mobile services. This unprecedented internet blackout lasted for five days and marked a turning point in Egypt’s relationship with online censorship.

In 2014, Egypt’s government introduced the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law, which significantly expanded the state’s power to monitor and censor online content. The legislation criminalizes a broad range of activities, including spreading false news, inciting violence, and promoting extremist ideologies. Critics argue that the law’s vague language allows for arbitrary enforcement and poses a threat to freedom of expression.

Egypt witnessed a massive website-blocking campaign in 2017, with the government blocking access to hundreds of websites, including news outlets, human rights organizations, and VPN services.

The campaign was initiated under the pretext of combating terrorism and protecting national security. However, the broad scope of the blocked websites raised concerns about the government’s intentions and the impact on freedom of information.

In 2018, Egypt’s parliament passed the Media Regulation Law, which grants the government the authority to regulate and monitor all forms of media, including social media platforms. The law requires users with more than 5,000 followers to register as media outlets, making them subject to the same regulations and censorship as traditional media. Human rights organizations have criticized the law for further stifling free speech and increasing government control over online content.

Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org



Take Action:
Support NewsTarget by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NewsTarget.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.

NewsTarget.com © 2022 All Rights Reserved. All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. NewsTarget.com is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. NewsTarget.com assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published on this site. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
News Target uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.