Egypt prosecutes Mada Masr journalist Lina Attalah over unlicensed site
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Hrw
Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, is due to appear in court on 27 October 2026 for running an unlicensed website. Human Rights Watch is calling for the charges to be dropped, as they expose the journalist to a fine of up to 3 million Egyptian pounds and threaten the media outlet’s closure, according to the organisation.
Egyptian authorities have referred Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, to court for establishing and managing a website without a licence. The decision was taken on 22 October by the Supreme State Security Prosecution, in Case No. 9072/2026, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Lina Attalah faces a fine of up to 3 million Egyptian pounds, equivalent to about 53,400 US dollars, as well as the closure of Mada Masr and confiscation of its equipment. She was questioned on 21 October over allegations of publishing “false information” and operating a website without a licence, before being released on bail of 100,000 Egyptian pounds, HRW reports.
Egypt’s 2018 law regulating the press and media requires websites operating in the country to obtain a licence from the Supreme Council for Media Regulation. Mada Masr says it submitted applications in 2018, 2020 and 2023, with the first two rejected without notification and the last receiving no response, according to HRW. The proceedings come after a tightening of the crackdown on the independent press, reported on 23 October.
