IFJ condemns the sentence and calls for the charges to be dropped
International Federation of JournalistsInternational journalists federation
The International Federation of Journalists condemns the fine and closure ruling as abusive and urges Egyptian authorities to drop the charges against Attalah.
“We condemn this abusive sentence and call on Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against her.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Egyptian court orders Mada Masr closed and fines editor Lina Attalah over an unlicensed website; the outlet says its license applications went unanswered
On October 27, 2026, a misdemeanor court in New Cairo convicted Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah of running a website without a license. It fined her 3 million Egyptian pounds, about $54,000, and ordered the outlet's website closed and its equipment and property confiscated. Mada Masr says it applied for a license in 2018, 2020 and 2023 and never received a decision, and its lawyers say the court denied them a copy of the case file. Press freedom and human rights groups condemned the ruling. We did not locate a public comment on the ruling from Egyptian authorities as of November 1, 2026.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Original post by the federation, pointing to its own statement and verified against the public account feed.
Before the quotation
The federation describes the court order closing Mada Masr and the fine for operating an unlicensed website.
After the quotation
The post points to the federation's longer statement about the same ruling.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the prosecution and closure order against Mada Masr. The organization expressly criticizes that action and calls for it to end.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMada Masr says its work must go on and Attalah should face neither prison nor fines
Mada Masr
“We are angry, but hopeful. We are tired but insistent, insistent that our work must go on, that Lina should face neither prison nor fines, that all jailed journalists should be free.”Read statement
CPJ calls the order to shut down Mada Masr outrageous
Committee to Protect Journalists
“The order to shut down Mada Masr, one of Egypt's leading media outlets, is outrageous and a clear signal that Egypt is doubling down on its efforts to suppress independent media”Read statement
Amnesty calls the Mada Masr ruling a crushing blow to press freedom in Egypt
Amnesty International
“Today's decision represents a crushing blow to press freedom in Egypt and marks a dark day for independent journalism in the country”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "IFJ condemns the sentence and calls for the charges to be dropped". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7939-the-international-federation-of-journalists-condemns-the-fine