The Ismail government’s ban on 21 websites is illegal in more ways than one

A state ban on some 21 news website accused of spreading fake news and / or of being pro-terror is being widely pilloried by the nation’s columnists. Ashraf El Barbary called the move illegal and unconstitutional in more ways than one. In a piece penned for Al Shorouk, El Barbary claims the fact that no government body has laid claim to the decision points to its dubious legality, adding that most of the websites are licensed with the government and did not receive prior notification of the ban. Meanwhile, Ahmed Samir takes to the pages of Al Masry Al Youm to express his disbelief that some are justifying the ban by saying countries such as Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Burma also restrict their citizens’ access to the Internet. Abdel Naby El Shahat defended the ban in Youm7, calling it a national security imperative.