Brotherhood’s hand suspected as Egypt grapples with rumours

Cairo is fighting an uphill battle as it confronts a barrage of false reports aimed at stirring unrest

‘ The government urges different media outlets and browsers of social networking sites to observe accuracy and objectivity by contacting the bodies concerned before publishing baseless information.”

This warning has recently popped up in most government statements as Egypt grapples with what officials and experts call a “war of rumours”.

One of the latest rumours, which the government has vehemently denied, claims there is an official plan to raise the cost of drinking water and fuel, a sensitive issue for Egyptians, who have recently experienced a spate of price hikes due to harsh austerity measures.

Prior to that, the government had to deny that it planned to levy a tax on inheritance.

In a recent address, President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi said that in just three months there had been more than 21,000 fake news reports circulated about Egypt.

Al Sissi’s stern warning

“These rumours could destroy the country as they aim to stir confusion and instability, and spread despair,” the Egyptian leader warned sternly.

Pro-state media have started running advertisements designed to refute false rumours.

“Don’t believe everything you see on social media. Obtain news from a well-informed source,” one TV advert admonishes.

The issue has also spilt over into night-time talk shows on state and private TV stations, with the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood mostly blamed for the torrent of rumours.

Extra News recently launched Rumours and Facts ,a programme in which government officials refute rumours.

“This is a national security issue,” Salah Al Hadi, a political expert, said. “Egypt has covered a long distance to stand again on its feet since the removal of Brotherhood rule.”

In recent months, Egypt has blocked several news websites, accusing them of spreading false news and having links with the Brotherhood.

But according to media professor Hassan Aly, rumours thrive in the absence of true information.

“[A] delay in official comment on any public issue fuels rumours. Absence of media professionalism also helps enemies at home and abroad to spread rumours,” he said.