An Egyptian court ordered news outlet Mada Masr closed and fined its editor-in-chief
Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah learned during release procedures that she had received a separate one-year prison sentence in absentia in 2024, the Associated Press reported. Democracy Now reported the case involved charges of publishing false news and managing an unlicensed website, and that Attalah faces a retrial in two weeks. Mada Masr said she intends to appeal.
More context
An Egyptian court ordered independent news outlet Mada Masr closed and fined its editor-in-chief, Lina Attalah, 3 million Egyptian pounds (about $53,400) for operating without a license. Attalah was detained after the ruling and released after paying the fine. The court also ordered the outlet’s equipment confiscated; the fine was the maximum penalty for the misdemeanor, Le Monde and Deutsche Welle reported. The Associated Press said that, as her release was being processed, Attalah’s lawyers were told she had been sentenced to a year in prison in 2024 without being present. Democracy Now! reported that the case centered on allegations of publishing false news and running an unlicensed website, with a retrial set for two weeks from then. Mada Masr said Attalah plans to challenge the ruling. The outlet said it applied for a license in 2018 and received no response, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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Reporting
- Al Jazeera — Egypt orders closure of leading independent news site Mada Masr | Freedom of the Press News | Al Jazeera
- Los Angeles Times — Court orders closure of one of Egypt's last independent media outlets, detains and fines editor - Los Angeles Times
- The Jerusalem Post — Egypt orders closure of independent news outlet Mada Masr, fines editor | The Jerusalem Post
- Le Monde — Egypt releases prominent journalist Lina Attalah from custody
- Deutsche Welle — Egypt orders closure of independent news site Mada Masr
- Democracy Now! — Lina Attalah, Editor of Independent Egyptian Outlet Mada Masr, Released from Police Custody | Democracy Now!
- editorandpublisher.com — Egyptian court orders Mada Masr closed; editor released after paying fine | Editor and Publisher
Verifier’s note
Al Jazeera, the Los Angeles Times, The Jerusalem Post, Le Monde, DW, Editor & Publisher, and Democracy Now all report the court’s closure order and fine against Lina Attalah; the reports date to October 27–28, consistent with the proposed event’s timing. The coverage confirms the central claims, including that Attalah paid the fine and was released.