ANSD : Egypt says it fights fake news, critics see new crackdown

SAT 20 - 4 - 2024

Date: Sep 17, 2018
Source: The Daily Star

Egypt says it fights fake news, critics see new crackdown

_{Associated Press}
CAIRO: Authorities in Egypt are taking aim at an alleged barrage of "fake news" they say is meant to sow division and undermine the rule of general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The effort is echoing some of President Donald Trump's rhetoric.

Government critics denounce the measures as the latest attempt to suppress dissent and silence what is left of independent journalism.

Under a new law, the state's top media regulatory agency can now use the "fake news" label to shut down social media accounts with more than 5,000 followers, without having to obtain a court order. Another new law allows blocking websites with content deemed a threat to national security.

An Egyptian watchdog says some 500 online sites have recently been blocked, as part of the state's growing control over the media.

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