Mada Masr and its journalists repeatedly targeted by authorities for their work

Location: Egypt, Alamein

Date: March 10, 2024

Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned by the detention of revered investigative journalist Rana Mamdouh while en route to a journalistic assignment in Ras al-Hikma. This marks the second instance of Mamdouh being charged for her journalistic work and is yet another example of authorities targeting and harassing the independent outlet Mada Masr and its journalists. Last month, the outlet's editor, Lina Atalah, was charged for supposedly publishing fake news. This ongoing state persecution of independent media must end. Women Press Freedom calls on the Egyptian authorities to cease their targeting of Mada Masr and to drop all charges against Mamdouh and her colleagues.

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On March 10, 2024, Rana Mamdouh was traveling to Ras al-Hikma on assignment when she and her driver were impeded at a checkpoint at the Alamein toll station. Despite identifying herself as a journalist, police detained Mamdouh under the pretext of “conducting a press interview without a permit.” She was taken to the Alamein police station.

Upon hearing about Mamdouh's detention, Khaled al-Balshy, the head of the Journalists Syndicate, condemned the police's actions, stating that Mamdouh's arrest, particularly after identifying herself as a journalist, reflects the troubling treatment of journalists by the state.

“Rana contacted me as soon as she was arrested,” al-Balshy said. “Considering the fact that she was out on assignment, an assignment that she has not completed, her work cannot be scrutinized at this point.”

Mamdouh spent 12 hours in custody without being able to contact her relatives or seek legal counsel. Eventually, Cairo’s Supreme State Security Prosecution granted her release on bail, set at LE5,000 (approximately $101).

The specific charges pressed against her remain undisclosed.

Rana Mamdouh is a well-known investigative journalist and has faced repeated harassment from authorities for her work. In February 2023, Rana Mamdouh and two of her colleagues from Mada Masr, Beesan Kassab and Sara Seif Eddin, were charged over an article alleging corruption within Egypt's ruling party. The party, loyal to President al-Sisi, denied the accusations, leading to a crackdown on the journalists.

Continuous Systematic Targeting of Mada Masr

Mada Masr, an outlet known for its critical stance against the authoritarian regime, has been subject to continuous harassment and suppression. Weeks prior to Mamdouh's detention, the editor-in-chief Lina Attalah, was arrested for allegedly publishing fake news. In October 2023, Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation suspended Mada Masr's website publication rights for six months, accusing it of operating without a license and disseminating unverified news.

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the detention and charges brought against Rana Mamdouh. The continuous targeting of independent media outlet Mada Masr is deeply troubling and shows that the Egyptian government has a vendetta against the platform and its journalists. Mamdouh and Mada Masr are known for their quality journalism, and their work to report on corruption strengthens and benefits democracy in the country. We demand that the government drops all charges against Mamdouh and that it ends its persecution of Mada Masr.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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