Egypt Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

President Biden must tackle press freedom during Middle East trip

July 12, 2022 1:27 PM EDT

New York, July 12, 2022 – As President Joe Biden departs for a visit to the Middle East from July 13 to 16, the Committee to Protect Journalists urges Biden to mount a robust defense of press freedom with the leaders of Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, where journalists’ ability to report freely and safely…

CPJ welcomes Egypt’s release of two journalists, says others must also be freed

April 26, 2022 7:12 PM EDT

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2022 – The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes news reports that Egypt has included journalists Mohamed Salah and Abdo Fayed among its latest prisoner releases, but calls on Egyptian authorities to release at least 23 other journalists in custody. “We are pleased that Salah and Fayed are getting some relief after…

In this Nov. 24, 2017 photo, Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, a prominent investigative media outlet in Egypt, participates in a panel discussion at cultural center in Cairo, Egypt. Mada Masr said editor Lina Attalah was arrested Sunday, May 17, 2020, outside Cairo's Tora prison complex. She was there to interview the mother of a prominent jailed activist, Alaa Abdelfattah. It's the latest arrest amid a wider crackdown on dissent. (AP/Roger Anis)

Egyptian police arrest Mada Masr editor Lina Attalah outside of Tora prison

May 17, 2020 12:10 PM EDT

New York, May 17, 2020— Egyptian authorities must immediately release Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah, who was arrested outside the prison where her colleague Alaa Abdelfattah is on hunger strike protesting his detention, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

A view of Giza Pyramids, taken from Cairo Tower on October 23, 2019. Security officers raided the Cairo offices of Mada Masr on November 24 and detained three staff. (AFP/Mohamed el-Shahed)

Egypt raids critical news outlet, detains staff

November 24, 2019 10:51 AM EST

November 24, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemned today’s raid on the office of independent Egyptian news website Mada Masr by Egyptian authorities, which included the arrests of three staffers. CPJ called on the government of Egypt to end its campaign of intimidation against the outlet and to release all Mada staff.

Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as Shawkan, center, is hugged by his parents at his home in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, March 4, 2019. Shawkan was released after five years in prison. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Egyptian photojournalist Shawkan finally free after over 5 years in jail

March 4, 2019 2:10 AM EST

Washington, D.C., March 4, 2019–Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as Shawkan, was today released from prison after spending over five years in detention on anti-state charges, according to a post from his Twitter account. According to news reports, Shawkan said he was officially approved for release on Sunday night but held by police…

Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Tahrir square in April 2018 after the results of the country's recent presidential elections were announced. The country's authorities have continued to clampdown on the press using false news charges after the elections, according to reports. (Reuters/ Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

CPJ calls on Egyptian authorities to release journalists held on false news charges

July 10, 2018 11:31 AM EDT

Washington, D.C., July 10, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Egyptian authorities to drop the charges against a group of journalists held in pretrial detention for false news and release the journalists immediately.

The Nile River in Cairo, Egypt on April 25, 2018. Egyptian authorities on May 23, 2018, detained prominent Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas, according to news reports. (Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

Egyptian authorities detain blogger Wael Abbas

May 23, 2018 4:06 PM EDT

New York, May 23, 2018–Egyptian authorities should release immediately Wael Abbas, a blogger who has documented Egyptian police abuse, and end their senseless campaign against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police at dawn today detained Abbas at his Cairo home and took him to an undisclosed location, according to news reports,…

Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Tahrir Square after presidential election results in Cairo, Egypt on April 2, 2018. Since Egypt's presidential elections, authorities have stepped up their campaign against critical and independent journalists and have cracked down on those conducting man-on-the-street interviews, according to CPJ research. (Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

CPJ alarmed by Egypt’s detention of video blogger Shadi Abu Zaid

May 8, 2018 1:47 PM EDT

New York, May 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over the detention of Shadi Abu Zaid, a video blogger who produces and anchors his own satirical news show.

Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Tahrir square after presidential election results in Cairo, Egypt on April 2, 2018. Egyptian authorities stepped up censorship during last month's presidential campaign, arresting journalists on

Egypt arrests 3 local journalists in 24 hours

April 6, 2018 5:03 PM EDT

Washington, D.C., April 6, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Egyptian authorities to immediately release three journalists who have been taken into police custody or disclose their whereabouts and accusations against them.

People walk near a billboard showing a picture of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the presidential election in Cairo, Egypt, March 28, 2018. During the election, Egyptian authorities blocked news sites and threatened journalists with retaliatory measures, according to reports. (Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Egyptian authorities lash out against media over election coverage

March 30, 2018 3:56 PM EDT

New York, March 30, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the actions taken by Egyptian authorities against media outlets and journalists reporting on the country’s presidential election, which took place March 26-28.