“Egypt’s independent press fights to survive as Mada Masr editor returns to court”

Key points

• Mada Masr, Egypt’s leading independent news site, has been ordered to close and shuttered its villa.
• Editor-in-chief Lina Attalah faces a separate retrial case that could lead to prison.
• Rights groups say the crackdown signals existential danger for independent journalism in Egypt.
• Mada Masr has operated without a license since 2018; licensing remains unresolved since 2023.
• Matsaddash newsroom was arrested and jailed, highlighting broader press freedom concerns.