After “Matsadaash”… Mada Masr’s Editor Faces Questioning As Press Crackdown Grows

Independent journalists in Egypt continue to face prosecution. Following the arrest of six journalists from Matsadaash in late September, state security prosecutors summoned MadaMasr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah for questioning in a new case—the sixth targeting the outlet and its journalists in six years.

In August 2025, Attalah was questioned over a report on alleged prison abuses and accused of spreading false news and running an unlicensed website. She was released on bail of 30,000 Egyptian pounds. She was also summoned in 2024 over reporting on talks concerning the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Mada Masr’s website has been blocked in Egypt since 2017.

The Matsada2sh journalists, arrested on September 28 and 29, face terrorism-related and false-news charges. Amnesty International documented accounts of torture, ill-treatment and forced video confessions, allegations Egypt’s Interior Ministry denied. On October 13, their detention was extended by 15 days.

These cases reflect wider pressure on press freedom and access to information. Egypt ranks 169th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.

Journalists have the right to investigate abuses, question officials and publish their findings responsibly. The public has the right to read and discuss their work.

Journalism is not a crime. Holding power accountable is not a threat to state security.