We, a coalition of civil society organizations and independent media representatives from various countries, unite to vocalize our deep disapproval of the recent attacks on press freedom in Egypt. The trial of Lina Attalah, the Editor-in-Chief of the independent news outlet Mada Masr, marks a concerning trend toward repression of journalistic expression in the country.
A Disturbing Timeline of Events
Within hours of Mada Masr’s collaboration with seven other independent media organizations to launch a solidarity newsroom—aimed at bridging the gap in coverage following the arrest of the entire editorial team at the investigative platform Matsadaash—Lina Attalah received a summons to appear before the Supreme State Security Prosecution. This referral, linked to Case No. 9072 of 2026, included no disclosed reasons for her summoning. During her lengthy interrogation on October 21, which lasted over six hours, questions centered on Mada Masr’s reporting of protests within Egyptian prisons and the status of its media license. She faced charges for operating a website without a license and for allegedly disseminating false news intended to disrupt public order. Eventually, she was released on bail set at LE 100,000. Subsequently, on October 22, Attalah was informed that she would be tried for managing an unlicensed website, with the first court session scheduled for October 27.
Struggling for Legitimacy
Mada Masr has consistently sought to comply with Egyptian media regulations. The outlet applied for a license under the 2018 Law No. 180 Regulating the Press, Media, and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) but received no acknowledgment. Even after reapplying once the bylaws were issued in 2020, their efforts went unanswered. In 2022, during a different inquiry, Mada Masr discovered that its licensing application had been rejected by SCMR without notification or rationale. The outlet subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging this decision but has not received a response to its latest licensing application submitted in 2023.
A Grave Threat to Independent Media
The referral of Lina Attalah to trial signals an unprecedented threat to the future of independent journalism and the broader civil society landscape in Egypt. It comes amid another critical escalation, following the detention of the entire Matsadaash newsroom at the end of September 2026. If convicted, Lina faces hefty fines ranging from LE 1 million to 3 million, which could double for any repeated offenses. More disturbingly, the court has the authority to shutter Mada Masr entirely, effectively eradication one of the last bastions of independent journalism in Egypt.
This marked the sixth legal action taken against Mada Masr in six years, yet this is the first instance where such a case has been advanced to trial. The Egyptian authorities have utilized oppressive measures against independent media outlets relentlessly, curtailing journalistic activities and free expression. Referring this trial to court reflects a deliberate intent to suppress independent media and erase what little remains of press freedom in the nation.
A Call to Action
We urge the Egyptian government to cease its prosecution of Lina Attalah and grant Mada Masr its rightful license according to the law. Additionally, we call for an immediate halt to any campaigns targeting Mada Masr and other independent media entities in the country, such as Matsadaash, which has seen its journalists endure torture and prolonged pre-trial detentions. The ongoing repression is an escalation that must not go unchallenged. A silence on our part will further embolden the authorities, potentially leading to the complete erasure of independent media and civic organization in Egypt, raising the stakes higher than ever before.