Skip to main content

Egypt’s censors shift into high gear over coronavirus coverage

Press censorship in Egypt has most recently hit The Guardian and The New York Times following what it claims are "false rumors" of the coronavirus crisis in the country.
A medical staff member in protective gear checks the temperature of a master's degree student amid concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19), following the suspension of study for only undergraduate students at Cairo University, to prevent it spreading, in Cairo, Egypt March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Shokry Hussien - RC2GKF96LEH2

Egypt revoked the press credentials of a reporter for The Guardian and delivered thinly veiled threats of similar action against The New York Times over coverage of the coronavirus, part of an ongoing pattern of censorship of the press.

Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) demanded an apology from The Guardian over what it called “a false report” citing a Canadian medical doctor who said the number of people infected with the disease in Egypt had reached over 19,000. The story carried by the respected British daily was written by Cairo-based freelancer Ruth Michaelson, who writes regularly for The Guardian.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.