Egypt has established a hotline to gather complaints of fake news in the traditional or electronic media.
The countrys judiciary announced the hotlines with the instruction that only those issues that could pose a threat to national security would be entertained.
Two weeks ahead of elections in Egypt, the media have been under close scrutiny, with an increase in cases of journalists being arrested and websites blocked.
The Egyptian judiciary has set aside mobile telephone numbers to receive complaints on the instant messaging app WhatsApp and by SMS, so long as the name of the complainant and their personal details are given, it said in a statement.
It said the initiative was aimed against premeditated fake information damaging to national security and the countrys interests
The decision has started generating reactions in the social media with Rahmy Botros @ramygerges tweeting I am correct in every statement, I lived in Egypt, USA, and visited UK, walked the streets, I tweet what I actually c, i dont believe in traditional media , sheeple news outlet, and social media, but lately decided to do my part and try to fight the fake news and stereotype.
Sofia Ahmed @sofiaas23 said: HARD TO SWALLOW Pop star Sherine Abdel Wahab jailed in Egypt for fake news after joking about catching parasites from polluted River Nile . Sherine Wahab jailed for Nile River joke.
Ganzeer @ganzeer Call me biased but it seems to me that Egypt has been setting the precedent for a number of trends over the past few years. Arresting journalists for the dissemination of fake news could, very dangerously, be one of them.
Source: NAN