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Egypt imposes anti-terror law that punishes 'false' reporting of attacks
Source: Agence France-Presse
Egypt imposes anti-terror law that punishes 'false' reporting of attacks
Agence France-Presse
Monday 17 August 2015 06.00 BST
An anti-terror law that stipulates exorbitant fines, and possible suspension from employment, for “false” reporting on militant attacks has come into effect in Egypt.
The government sped up the passage of the law after the state prosecutor was assassinated in a car bombing in late June, followed by a large-scale jihadi attack in the Sinai peninsula days later.
The military was infuriated after media, quoting security officials, reported that dozens of troops had been killed in the Sinai attack. The military’s official death toll was 21 soldiers and scores of jihadists.
The law, ratified by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, sets a minimum fine of 200,000 Egyptian pounds (about $25,000) and a maximum of 500,000 pounds for anyone who strays from government statements in publishing or spreading “false” reports on attacks or security operations against militants.
Critics say the steep fines may shut down smaller newspapers, and deter larger ones from independently reporting on attacks and operations against militants.
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Agence France-Presse
Monday 17 August 2015 06.00 BST
An anti-terror law that stipulates exorbitant fines, and possible suspension from employment, for “false” reporting on militant attacks has come into effect in Egypt.
The government sped up the passage of the law after the state prosecutor was assassinated in a car bombing in late June, followed by a large-scale jihadi attack in the Sinai peninsula days later.
The military was infuriated after media, quoting security officials, reported that dozens of troops had been killed in the Sinai attack. The military’s official death toll was 21 soldiers and scores of jihadists.
The law, ratified by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, sets a minimum fine of 200,000 Egyptian pounds (about $25,000) and a maximum of 500,000 pounds for anyone who strays from government statements in publishing or spreading “false” reports on attacks or security operations against militants.
Critics say the steep fines may shut down smaller newspapers, and deter larger ones from independently reporting on attacks and operations against militants.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/17/egyptian-president-ratifies-law-to-punish-false-reporting-of-terror-attacks
