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 of Egypt’s independent media outlets, and a vital source of critical reporting, has long
faced pressure
from Egyptian authorities over its journalism. The outlet reported on Tuesday that the New Cairo Misdemeanor Court fined Attalah 3 million Egyptian pounds (about US$54,000), ordered the closure of the outlet, and the confiscation of its equipment. Attalah was subsequently taken into custody, and two Egyptian lawyers confirmed to CPJ that she will remain in custody until the fine is paid.
“The conviction of Lina Attalah and the order to shut down Mada Masr represent a devastating blow to press freedom in Egypt and a direct message aimed at dismantling independent media in the country,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Attalah and Mada Masr are among the most prominent voices in Egypt’s independent media landscape, providing critical reporting on issues of public interest that might otherwise go unreported. If Egypt can put in custody one of its most respected editors and shut down her newsroom, no independent journalist in the country is safe. Attalah must be released immediately, and Mada Masr must be allowed to keep reporting.”
According to
reports
from the hearing, journalists were not allowed to stay in the courtroom during critical stages of the proceedings. The defense was reportedly prevented from presenting key procedural requests, including requests to submit documents and hear witnesses. Attalah’s objection to the appointment of a lawyer she had not chosen was reportedly disregarded, before the court announced its verdict amid protests from her legal team. Suc
