Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified an anti-terrorism law that includes a provision prescribing fine on journalists for contradicting the authorities' version of any terrorist attack.
The President yesterday evening signed into law an anti-terrorism legislation, details of which will be published today in the official gazette, presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef said.
The law, drafted by the Cabinet in early July, has sparked a backlash from Egyptian media after it included an article threatening at least two years in prison for publishing "false information on terrorist attacks that contradict official statements," Egyptian news agency Mena reported.
Sisi had promised a tougher legal system in July, after a car bomb attack that killed the top public prosecutor, the highest level state official to be killed in years.
Egypt has witnessed many violent attacks by militants since the January, 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.
The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.
Over 600 security personnel have been reported killed since then.
North Sinai is one of the major areas that suffered major attacks by terrorists.
The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.
