Press freedom in Egypt is once again under scrutiny following the court-ordered closure of Mada Masr, the country's most prominent independent news website, and the ongoing legal challenges facing its editor-in-chief, Lina Attalah.

The developments have prompted concern from human rights organisations, the United Nations, and international observers, who view the case as a significant test for the future of independent journalism in Egypt.

The closure comes amid broader concerns about media restrictions, licensing requirements, the arrest of journalists, and the shrinking space for independent reporting in a country where much of the media landscape is either state-owned or aligned with the government. 

Mpho Sithole spoke to Ebrahim Deen, researcher at the Afro-Middle East Centre to unpack the implications of these developments, what they mean for media freedom in Egypt, and the broader state of independent journalism across the region.