Photo Credit: Daily News Egypt The Egyptian parliament passed a new legislation regulating the work of media outlets, journalists and the Higher Council for Media on Sunday. The legislation, which enables new restrictions on social media users and bloggers, sparked criticism from legislators and activists alike. The new law has been accused of stifling free speech. Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that the new law had been presented to the parliament on Sunday morning, giving the members little time to debate it. One of the most significant changes in the law was the subjection of social media accounts or blogs with 5,000 followers or more to the same laws, particularly Article 19, governing traditional media outlets (newspapers, new websites, T.V programs). The law states in Article 19 (Chapter 3) that newspapers or media outlets are prohibited to spread “false information” or any material that “incites hatred, discrimination or violence”. It also prohibits any rhetoric that involves “libel and insult of Abrahamic religions or religious beliefs”. The parliamentary session held on Sunday did not include GalalAwara, the Under Secretary of Culture and Information Committee, as he protested the law by not attending. He…
Egyptian Parliament Passes Law to Regulate Social Media Users With Over 5,000 Followers
June 12, 2018
