Egypt may jail, deport journalists who report death tolls that contradict official statements

If a new anti-terrorism law is approved, Egypt may take legal action against journalists who report “false” military death tolls in jihadist attacks that contradict official statements. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who called for tougher laws following the assassination of his top prosecutor last week, is expected to approve the law within days. The cabinet has already approved the draft law. The country’s press syndicate has denounced the law, saying it amounted to censorship. Article 33 of the draft law, published in several Egyptian newspapers, stipulates a minimum two-year sentence for “reporting false information on terrorist attacks that contradicts official statements.” The law also opens up the possibility of deportation and house arrest.

Read about the proposed law.