Egypt says regional tensions fuelled 113% YoY rise in rumours in H1-2026

Rumours linked to regional and international crises rose 113 per cent in Egypt during the first half of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to a Cabinet Media Centre report released on Wednesday.

According to the report, the economy, energy, and food supply were among the most targeted sectors.

The report said that rumors about the negative repercussions of regional and international developments accounted for 57.3 percent of all misinformation monitored between January and June, up from 21.1 percent in the same period in 2025.

The increase reflected attempts to exploit regional developments to spread false information and cause public confusion, the report added.

The Cabinet Media Centre said it monitors traditional and social media platforms, coordinates with relevant government agencies, and publishes official clarifications to counter what it identifies as false claims.

March recorded the highest share of rumours during the six months, accounting for 21.0 per cent of the total, followed by April (20.3 per cent), February (16.9 per cent), May (15.7 per cent), June (14.5 per cent), and January (11.6 per cent), the report said.

The economy accounted for the largest share of rumours monitored at 14.4 per cent, followed by energy (13.3 per cent), food supply (11.6 per cent), tourism and aviation (11.4 per cent), healthcare (10.9 per cent), housing (9.7 per cent), and education (7.9 per cent).

Rumours related to agriculture represented 7.8 per cent of the total, followed by social protection (4.7 per cent), transport (3.8 per cent), and telecommunications and administrative reform, each accounting for 1.8 per cent. Other sectors accounted for 0.9 per cent, according to the report.

Among the claims highlighted in the report were videos alleging that the government planned to sell state assets to repay external debt and reports that Egypt was facing an energy crisis amid regional tensions.

The report also cited false claims about nationwide four-hour daily power cuts beginning in May, plans to suspend internet services overnight to reduce electricity consumption, alleged tourism losses of $600 million per day, a radioactive leak that prompted school and university closures, and shortages of essential goods linked to regional tensions.

The Cabinet Media Centre regularly publishes reports responding to claims circulating on social media and in local media outlets as part of the government’s efforts to counter misinformation.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English