Egypt imposes strict penalties for spreading false news

CAIRO - 31 July 2024: The Egyptian government has intensified its efforts to combat the spread of false news and rumors, implementing strict penalties for those found guilty.

The law stipulates that individuals who intentionally disseminate false information about the country's internal affairs, with the intent to undermine its financial stability or reputation, can face up to five years in prison and substantial fines.

The Egyptian Penal Code outlines several articles addressing the dissemination of false information. Article 80(d) states that anyone who intentionally spreads false news or rumors about the country's internal affairs abroad, with the intent to undermine the state's financial credibility or prestige, can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined.

Article 102 imposes penalties for those who intentionally spread false news or rumors that could disturb public security or cause panic. The penalties are more severe if the crime is committed during wartime.

Additionally, Article 188 penalizes individuals who maliciously spread false news, fabricated or forged documents, or information falsely attributed to others, if such actions could disturb public peace, cause panic, or harm the public interest.

Abdullah El-Magazy, a constitutional law professor, warned against the spread of rumors on social media, emphasizing the potential harm it can cause to society.

He highlighted the legal penalties, including up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to 20,000 Egyptian pounds, for those who spread false information online. El-Magazy noted that the state of emergency exacerbates the severity of these penalties.

He explained that the anonymity of social media accounts and the availability of tools to create deepfakes contribute to the rapid spread of misinformation. Moreover, the lack of specialized centers to monitor and combat rumors during crises exacerbates the problem.

El-Magazy emphasized that false news that disturbs public security is a crime punishable by law, requiring malicious intent to harm the public interest. He categorized false news into several types, including fabricated content, forged content, misleading content, and satirical content that can be misleading.

Social media platforms have significantly contributed to the spread of false information, as users often share content without verifying its accuracy. Furthermore, unlicensed online news outlets and those operating outside the country often contribute to misinformation for the purpose of increasing traffic to their websites.