‘We are left with silence’: Egypt’s press freedom under threat

Egypt's leading independent news outlet is facing closure, while its editor, Lina Atala, risks going to prison. Atala said that the latest measures against Mada Masra and the detention of staff at fact-checking platform Matsadash mark a new attempt to restrict independent media. We were summoned for interrogations and swiftly referred to court and already got a verdict ordering the closure of Mada Masra, which is also one of the main independent media in Egypt. And we were also ordered to pay a fine of £3 million, the equivalent of over $50,000. Last month, the court fined Atala £3 million for operating without a license. The court also ordered Mademassa to shut down. The outlet is appealing that decision on November 25. I was very panicked. I was very scared. I don't think anybody has courage to face prison. I don't think anyone should be in prison. And I don't think this was needed, to be honest, normally when a case entails a fine. You know. Atala said her trial was rushed and that she was detained in court before learning she had received a one-year prison sentence in a separate case. It seems to be the case that somewhere in the authorities' imagination, silencing these media is the solution for Egypt's problems. And what we're trying to say is that it isn't, simply put. The case has drawn international criticism. Right groups say Egypt's media crackdown is unprecedented. Attala says he's generally should not be in prison and that the independent outlets must be allowed to report freely.