An Egyptian misdemeanour court ordered independent news outlet Mada Masr closed and sentenced editor-in-chief Lina Attalah for operating a website without a licence. Attalah was fined about €850, or $53,400 according to another account, and detained after the hearing; Al Jazeera reported she was freed after the fine was paid and learned she had been sentenced to one year in her absence.
WHO:An Egyptian misdemeanour court
WHAT:Ordered Mada Masr closed and sentenced editor-in-chief Lina Attalah for operating a website without a licence.
WHEN:Oct 27, 2026
WHERE:Egypt
WHY:The court cited operating the website without a licence as the basis for the closure order and conviction.
Reporting from 9 identified publishers across this event arc.
