New Legislation to Regulate Influencers.. Media Expert: Digital Media Outpaced Laws and the State is Moving

Digital media has outpaced the law. That was the blunt assessment from Dr. Howaida Mostafa, Vice President of the State Information Service and member of the National Media Council, addressing the core challenge facing content creators in Egypt today. She noted the state is now moving to counter negative practices by some influencers on social platforms, which calls for a comprehensive review of existing legislation.

The Gap Between Traditional and Digital Media

Speaking on the 'Arabity' program on Radio Masr, Mostafa explained that traditional media operates under clear and well-established ethical and professional standards, whereas digital media functions in a largely open space without a legislative framework that defines responsibilities or holds violators accountable. She stressed that the absence of digital culture and awareness of usage guidelines has led to harmful practices with real social impact. The gap has widened dangerously.

The rapid evolution and widespread adoption of digital media in recent years, she argued, far exceeded the pace of lawmaking, creating a legal gray zone that allows for reckless behavior with uncalculated consequences. Current regulations no longer fit the digital era.

Balancing Free Speech and Social Protection

Mostafa emphasized that any new legislative framework must strike a careful balance between guaranteeing freedom of expression, a constitutional gain that can't be rolled back, and shielding society from harmful content and irresponsible conduct. She pointed to the professional codes of ethics governing traditional media as a valuable reference when drafting new digital ground rules.

She also called for widespread awareness campaigns to boost digital literacy among both citizens and content creators, insisting that legal regulation alone can't solve the problem without building collective awareness. The ball is now in the state's and judiciary's court.