Story highlights Journalists' Syndicate in Egypt decries the proposed law as "dangerous and unconstitutional"

Proposed law has severe penalties if news organizations counter official reports in terrorism cases

Cairo (CNN) A new anti-terrorism law in Egypt will make publishing news that contradicts the official version of events in terrorism-related cases a crime punishable by prison sentences, a setback for the freedom of the press, according to the local journalists union.

The anti-terrorism draft law lists more than 25 crimes, 12 of which are punishable by death. It was approved by the Cabinet and the State Council and is pending the approval of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, who has legislative powers in the absence of a parliament.

A terrorist attack on military outposts in Sinai led to an hourslong battle in a town near the Gaza border, killing at least 17 soldiers and over 200 militants on July 1, the military said. Some local and international media said military casualties were between 50 and 70.

Egyptian authorities criticized such reports. In a video released by the Ministry of Defense, Al-Jazeera network and Muslim Brotherhood affiliated TV channels were singled out for spreading false news and participating in anti-military propaganda.

The military removed the Brotherhood-affiliated president Mohamed Morsy from power in 2013 after mass protests. A deadly security crackdown and a wave of terrorism left hundreds of civilians, police and soldiers dead over the past two years.

Read More