# Egyptian Journalist Fights for Media Freedom

> Lina Attalah, co-founder of Egypt's Mada Masr, faces court shutdown after 13 years of independent journalism.
- Title: Egyptian Journalist Fights for Media Freedom · Drop Site News
- Summary: Lina Attalah, co-founder of Egypt's Mada Masr, faces court shutdown after 13 years of independent journalism.
- Keywords: mada masr, lina attalah, egypt, media licensing, journalism, court case, political rule, independent media, media shutdown, legal battle, journalists, egyptian government
- Source: Drop Site News — https://dropsitenews.com/p/mada-masr-egypt-lina-attalah-journalism
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mada masr, lina attalah, egypt, media licensing, journalism, court case, political rule, independent media, media shutdown, legal battle, journalists, egyptian government
## Court Hearing for Mada Masr
Lina Attalah stood before a judge in Cairo on October 27, 2026, facing charges of running a website without a license.
## Sixth Legal Challenge
Attalah had faced prosecutorial questioning six times over the last few years before this court hearing.
## Courtroom Rejection
The judge rejected all defense requests, including time to prepare a defense and summon witnesses.
## Shut Down Order
Mada Masr was ordered shut down with a 3 million Egyptian pounds fine after seven hours in custody.
## Media Licensing Law
Egypt passed a media law in 2018 requiring Mada Masr to get a license, but the application was ignored for years.
## Failed Licensing Attempts
Mada Masr applied twice for a license under the law but received no response despite a 90-day obligation.
## 2022 License Rejection
In 2022, Mada Masr learned their license was rejected without explanation during an interrogation.
## Legal Battle Continues
Mada Masr contested the license rejection at the State Council but received no response since 2023.
## 13 Years of Journalism
Mada Masr was founded in 2013 by journalists in Cairo during political turmoil after President al-Sisi took power.
## Journalism as Political Space
Mada Masr created a space for independent journalism to resist political cancellation and keep public engagement alive.
## 2024 Conviction
Attalah was convicted in absentia in 2024 on charges of publishing false news and running a website without a license.
## Next Court Date
Mada Masr plans to return to court on November 11, 2026, to push for defense statements and constitutional rights.
## Key takeaway

Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah fights to keep Mada Masr operational amid legal battles over media licensing.