Thus spoke the Dictator

• In Event: Crime, Science and Politics WG Panel 3. Society’s role in Criminal Policy Making

Abstract

Cyberspace has emerged as a new frontier for citizens to express their opinions and exercise their freedom, particularly in the face of authoritarian conditions in various parts of the world. However, this freedom has been increasingly challenged, as many authoritarian governments have instituted more restrictive laws under the guise of protecting morality and security concerns. This paper examines the elite-engineered moral panic surrounding the Internet in post-Arab Spring Egypt, specifically focusing on the penal policies, and implemented laws. Through discourse analysis of publicly available speeches by state officials, this study reveals a deliberate attempt to create panic and moral hysteria regarding the Internet and social media platforms. The narrative constructed by state officials aimed to portray these digital spaces as hubs for nefarious activities and societal disruption, thereby justifying the passage of laws that significantly curtailed online freedoms and enabled heightened censorship. Over a span of nine years, numerous restrictive laws have been enacted, leading to a substantial increase in arrests based on these laws. By shedding light on the deliberate construction of moral panic and its consequences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes to stifle online freedoms and control cyberspace."

Author

• Amr Marzouk, Erasmus University Rotterdam