Egypt Discusses Blocking Websites Linked to 'Terrorism'

With each passing month come new attempts by the Egyptian government to further restrict freedom of speech under the guise of combating ‘terrorism’. The latest amendments to national security laws being discussed is the possibility of removing websites linked to “terrorism’.

Talking to Ahram Online a cabinet spokesman Hossam Kawish explained that the committee will be making recommendations that will assist the court in issuing verdicts that in effect will remove any content on the internet related to “terrorism”. Forming the committee is Egypt’s premier Ibrahim Mahlsb who will enlist the help of representatives of from a variety of ministries and will be headed by justice minister Mahfouz Saber.

It is still unknown what criteria the committee will follow in distinguishing web content that relates to ‘”terrorism” but that they will be meeting in the next couple of days. Since President Sisi rise to power, Egypt’s government has been calling on the international community to shutdown any extremist websites inciting violence and to halt broadcasting channels affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Establishing a committee to discuss the removal of web content could arguably be the result of recent beheading video of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya.