Court orders Egyptian website closed in case seen as test for independent media
The ruling adds a 3 million Egyptian pound fine and comes amid broader pressure on independent media, with hundreds of websites still blocked, Amnesty International said.
- On Tuesday, the New Cairo Misdemeanor Court convicted Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah of operating an unlicensed website, imposing a 3 million EGP fine and ordering the outlet to shut down. Attalah was taken into custody pending payment.
- Mada Masr has repeatedly attempted to obtain an official license from the Supreme Council for Media Regulation since 2018, but authorities have consistently denied or ignored applications. The outlet has faced six criminal investigations over six years.
- Defense lawyers reported the court denied requests to submit documents or summon witnesses, with journalists excluded from critical proceedings. A group of 119 rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists, called the case an "unprecedented attack on press freedom."
- Amnesty International's Yasmine Ahmed, Senior Director for Regional Impact, called the verdict a "crushing blow to press freedom." U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen stated the charges were baseless, saying "journalism is not a crime." Authorities maintain media must operate within the law.
- The conviction coincides with last month's arrest of the entire Matsadaash newsroom and follows a broader crackdown on independent journalism. With at least 18 journalists currently imprisoned in Egypt, the ruling marks a significant escalation against the country's remaining independent media voices.
16 Articles
16 Articles
This was the sixth case involving Lina Attallah and "Mada Masr" in as many years, but none had so far led to a trial.
Court orders Egyptian website closed in case seen as test ...
Egypt: Court order to shut down and fine Mada Masr a devastating blow to media freedom
Responding to the news that the New Cairo Misdemeanours court today convicted editor in chief Lina Attalah on charges of operating an unlicenced website, ordering the shutdown of prominent independent outlet Mada Masr and taking her into police custody pending payment of the maximum penalty of three million EGP fine (54,467 USD) Amnesty International’s Senior […]
CPJ outraged by Egypt court conviction of journalist Lina Attalah, order of Mada Masr’s closure
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the conviction of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent Egyptian news outlet Mada Masr, on charges of running an unlicensed website, and calls on Egyptian authorities to reverse the ruling, release the journalist immediately, and end their escalating campaign against independent journalism. Mada Masr, among the first and few...
1330 & 101.5 WHBL
Court orders Egyptian website closed in case seen as test for independent media
CAIRO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - A court ordered a leading independent Egyptian news site closed on Tuesday after its editor-in-chief was convicted of running the site without a licence and taken into custody pending bail, her lawyers and the outlet said. Li...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
