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Court Orders Mada Masr Closure, Fines Lina Attalah 3 Million

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:05 UTC · How we work

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Summary

The New Cairo Misdemeanours Court ordered Mada Masr’s closure and fined Lina Attalah 3 million Egyptian pounds.
Authorities seized Mada Masr’s equipment and property while detaining Attalah in the courthouse.
Judge Mohamed Mubarak cleared the courtroom, rejected defense requests, and appointed a lawyer for Attalah.
The ruling is Egypt’s first tribunal to shut down a news outlet over licensing.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and 119 groups called the verdict a blow to press freedom.

History

In June 1971 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States, rejecting prior-restraint on the Pentagon Papers despite the government’s claim of a grave danger. The precedent echoes today as Egypt’s New Cairo Misdemeanours Court this week shut down Mada Masr, fined editor Lina Attalah 3 million pounds and appointed a state lawyer.

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Historical Context

In June 1971 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States, rejecting prior-restraint on the Pentagon Papers despite the government’s claim of a grave danger. The precedent echoes today as Egypt’s New Cairo Misdemeanours Court this week shut down Mada Masr, fined editor Lina Attalah 3 million pounds and appointed a state lawyer.

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