Linda Attalah, head of the reputable media outlet Mada Masr, is on the verge of a trial that she claims aims to "silence" the last signs of free press in Egypt. These statements come as Egypt has recently intensified its crackdown on journalists and the closure of media outlets.
Concerns Over Media Suppression
Attalah, one of Egypt's most prominent journalists, stated that in recent weeks, all staff members of the fact-checking platform Matsadash have been arrested, and the media outlet Mada Masr has also been threatened with closure. She said, "The effort to suppress the media is seriously underway, and it seems that this is a new chapter in the attempt to limit the independent media space."
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Egypt has long been criticized for its human rights record and has closed nearly all spaces for protest over the past decade. Attalah pointed out that currently, 26 journalists are in prison, which has raised deep concerns internationally.
Trial and Its Consequences
Attalah was recently sentenced to one year in absentia and will face a new case on Wednesday. She stated, "Journalists should not be in prison, and we should be allowed to return to our newsrooms." She also noted that although her trial was hastily conducted in the presence of her lawyers, this situation has hindered her journalistic duties.
Mada Masr, founded in 2013, is considered a credible source for reports and analyses about Egypt. Attalah described the purpose of establishing this media outlet as documenting the profound changes in Egypt, saying, "We aimed to create a record of what is happening." She expressed that the current conditions highlight the need for independent media in the country.
Attalah also pointed out that "the press space has become very empty, and there is no one to report on what is really happening." This situation has further emphasized the importance of Mada Masr as a reliable source of information among other media.
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