Egypt moves to step up anti-rumor measures; Madbouly warns of rising false news
Updated 12/8/2025 8:37:00 AM
Arab Finance: Egypt is taking new steps to activate mechanisms to combat rumors and address the spread of false news that harms society and undermines the national economy, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said during a meeting held on December 7th with senior officials.
Madbouly said criticism of government performance is welcome and discussed openly across digital platforms and the press, warning of deliberate attempts to fabricate events and circulate misleading news intended to damage confidence in the national economy.
He pointed to the large volume of daily rumors on social media, as well as false reports shared by foreign outlets hostile to Egypt and presented as facts to stir confusion.
Moreover, he said the state is working to counter this through coordinated mechanisms that focus on providing accurate facts and data, as firm action is needed against those who intentionally spread misinformation.
During the meeting, Madbouly presented examples of false claims circulating online, describing them as attempts to create instability at a time when economic indicators show positive momentum.
He said government bodies respond continuously to address concerns raised publicly, but deterrent measures are necessary for those who knowingly disseminate false information.
Assistant to the Prime Minister and Head of the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) Osama El-Gohary reviewed the cabinet media center’s new digital platform, which uses artificial intelligence to verify the accuracy of published news.
He said the platform analyzes content within seconds and is currently in its pilot phase ahead of an official launch.
Meanwhile, Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsany said the meeting reviewed the efforts of the Ministries of Religious Endowments, Interior, and Communications and Information Technology in countering rumors, along with the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ “Stand Up With Us” unit. The discussion also covered the roles of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, the National Press Authority, and the National Media Authority.
El-Homsany added that existing laws already include penalties that address the crime of spreading false news through media outlets and social media platforms when such content harms society or the public interest.
He said the meeting agreed to activate the work of entities monitoring rumors across websites and social networks and to take immediate legal action when false news is detected.
It also discussed increasing penalties for individuals who deliberately fabricate events or spread lies that damage the national economy.
He said the meeting concluded with an agreement to unify the efforts of ministries, agencies, and relevant authorities under an integrated national strategy to counter rumors, supported by clear executive procedures and tools to assess the effectiveness of these measures.
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