Egypt targets ‘fake weather’ amid flurry of false forecasts
Given the multiple sources issuing weather reports and the confusion they cause among citizens, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority has drafted a bill punishing unauthorized weather forecasts.
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Following a previous crackdown on “fake news,” Egyptian authorities now have their sights set on fake weather. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA), a government body responsible for domestic weather forecasting, announced that it has drafted a new law that would punish unauthorized weather forecasts in an attempt to put an end to the growing number of unauthorized reports.
Cairo-based Shorouk daily reported that in an interview with satellite TV channel DMC on April 28, head of the EMA Ahmed Abdel Aal stated that the new bill “will be submitted to the parliament shortly.” He stressed, “The EMA is the only body entitled to issue weather reports and notify concerned parties.”
The bill will become law once it is approved by the parliament and the president. In Egypt, draft laws are presented to the parliament and must be approved before being passed into law.
