Egypt: Court Order to Shut Down and Fine Mada Masr a Devastating Blow to Media Freedom

What the report says

An Egyptian court in New Cairo has convicted Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah on charges tied to operating an unlicensed website, according to a press release from Amnesty International published by AllAfrica. The court ordered the shutdown of Mada Masr, one of Egypt’s most prominent independent media outlets, and imposed the maximum fine of 3 million Egyptian pounds. The ruling also places Attalah in police custody until the penalty is paid.

Amnesty International described the decision as a severe setback for press freedom in Egypt and said it comes after years of pressure on the outlet and its leadership. The organization said Mada Masr had repeatedly tried to obtain a licence under Egypt’s media law since 2018, without success, and that its latest application also went unanswered. It also raised concerns about the speed of the proceedings and the court’s rejection of defence requests, including requests for more time and for witnesses to be heard.

The report places the case in a broader pattern of restrictions on independent journalism in Egypt, where many websites remain blocked and journalists have faced arrests and investigations. Human rights groups have long argued that licensing and registration rules should not be used to silence critical reporting. The ruling adds to ongoing concerns about the shrinking space for independent media in the country.