Egypt has jailed an entire newsroom and referred @MadaMasr Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah to trial, in an escalating campaign to silence the country’s remaining independent media. Read CPJ’s analysis of Egypt’s unprecedented crackdown on the press by @m_medhaat: cpj.org/2026/10/whos-next-in…

Egypt has jailed an entire newsroom and referred @MadaMasr Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah to trial, in an escalating campaign to silence the country’s remaining independent media. Read CPJ’s analysis of Egypt’s unprecedented crackdown on the press by @m_medhaat: cpj.org/2026/10/whos-next-in…

Thank you #PressFreedom advocate Sen. @ChrisVanHollen for calling for an end to Egypt’s assault on press freedom. Journalism is #NotACrime.

CPJ joined partner organizations on Friday in condemning the referral to trial of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of @MadaMasr. The case is the latest escalation in Egypt’s crackdown on the press, which has included the arrest of all six Egypt-based journalists working for investigative platform Matsdaash and the summoning of journalist Rasha Azab by prosecutors. cpj.org/2026/10/cpj-partners…

Less than a month after arresting the entire Matsadaash newsroom, the Egyptian govt has now filed baseless charges against the editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, continuing their largest crackdown in years.   This assault on the free press must end NOW. Journalism is not a crime.

CPJ condemns the referral of @MadaMasr Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah to trial for operating a website without a license that Egyptian authorities have themselves refused to grant for years. Egypt is weaponizing its media law to punish independent journalism and intensify one of its worst crackdowns on the press in years, which began with the arrest of six Matsdaash journalists. It is long past time for Egypt to end this campaign and allow independent media to report freely.

"Syrian authorities must immediately investigate the hours-long interrogation and reported threats made against journalist Ammar al-Hamidi by the Interior Security forces in Raqqa, and guarantee his safety and that of his family. CPJ urges the Syrian government to end the intimidation of the press, stop forcing reporters to expose confidential sources, and allow them to report without fear of retaliation." — Rama Sabanekh Interim Program Coordinator, Levant

CPJ highlights role of transnational networks in fueling attacks on #journalists in #Sudan Read the letter ⤵️ cpj.org/2026/10/cpj-highligh…

"CPJ is appalled by reports of the Israeli military shooting towards journalists @cbonneauimages and Ali Ezzeddine in southern #Lebanon. The two journalists were accompanied by a Lebanese soldier when the incident took place, and Ezzedine was wearing a clearly marked 'Press' vest when a bullet hit the wall they were standing next to. Journalists are not a target, and these dangerous actions underscore an ongoing pattern of press obstruction in southern Lebanon." — Sara Qudah, MENA Regional Director

Read CPJ's letter to Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel (Michael) Leiter, demanding an investigation into the violent assault on @washingtonpost photojournalist Heidi Levine while reporting in the occupied West Bank. Read the letter ⤵️ cpj.org/2026/10/cpj-to-israe…

"CPJ strongly condemns the Israeli military’s demolition of journalist @radwanmortada family home in southern #Lebanon. Just three weeks earlier, Mortada released an @AJArabic documentary on the #Israel 2024 pager attack. In the days leading up to the demolition, Israeli soldiers launched a sound bomb, a tank tore down the entrance, and soldiers looted personal belongings. CPJ fears this destruction is in retaliation for Mortada's work, marking another dangerous violation of international law and disregard for the press." — Sara Qudah, MENA Regional Director

Join journalist and CPJ 2026 International Press Freedom Awardee @Christina_assi on November 6 to discuss how to protect journalists and hold those who target them accountable.

"Mada Masr's Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah was summoned on Monday by Egypt's Supreme State Security Prosecution. In less than a month, Egyptian authorities have detained an entire newsroom, and summoned journalist Rasha Azab. CPJ is deeply concerned by this unprecedented crackdown on independent journalism. It must end immediately." — Sara Qudah, MENA Regional Director @MadaMasr #JournalismIsNotACrime

I condemn yesterday's attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and a Washington Post photographer in the West Bank. Prime Minister Netanyahu must take immediate action to stop this violence, protect Palestinian communities, and ensure those responsible are investigated and held accountable. Continued inaction endangers lives and undermines security and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. washingtonpost.com/world/202…