Press Freedom in Peril: Egypt
Official Statement on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day – May 3, 2025
On World Press Freedom Day—a day that should be a global celebration of the vital role free and independent journalism plays in building enlightened, democratic societies capable of holding power to account—the Justice for Human Rights Foundation (JHR) raises its voice to express profound concern and mounting outrage over the alarming and ongoing decline of press freedom in Egypt.
Rather than honouring journalists who strive to uncover the truth and inform the public, we witness a growingly bleak reality in Egypt, where media professionals face unprecedented challenges that severely hinder their ability to carry out their essential duties freely and safely. Voices seeking to reveal the truth are being silenced.
Journalism in Egypt continues to suffer from relentless restrictions that impair its professional and societal role. The continued detention of journalists for merely doing their jobs, alongside the growing number of freedom-of-expression cases, casts a dark shadow over the media landscape and calls for serious reflection and urgent demands for respect for press freedom and the protection of journalists.
The current state of press freedom in Egypt faces grave challenges, notably systematic constraints that undermine journalists’ ability to work independently. The increasing use of repressive laws—particularly counter-terrorism legislation and laws criminalizing so-called “fake news”—has become a tool to target journalists who critique government policies or expose corruption and human rights violations. UN experts have expressed grave concern over the misuse of these laws and urged Egyptian authorities to stop criminalizing dissenting voices.
The alarming number of journalists arbitrarily detained and imprisoned in Egypt continues to shock the international human rights community. Credible estimates indicate that Egypt remains among the top countries globally in terms of journalist incarceration rates. Many are serving lengthy, unjust prison terms under harsh and inhumane conditions, often without fair trials or due legal process.
Journalists in Egypt also face increasing difficulties in accessing accurate and transparent information from official sources. Their requests are frequently ignored or arbitrarily denied. In addition, numerous independent news websites that offer alternative viewpoints are being blocked, severely impairing journalists’ ability to provide informed, comprehensive coverage, and depriving the public of its fundamental right to information.
In light of our commitment to press freedom and human rights, the Justice for Human Rights Foundation calls on the Egyptian government to immediately and unconditionally release all detained journalists who have committed no offense other than exercising their legitimate right to freedom of expression. We also demand an end to all forms of repression and restrictions on press freedom in Egypt, including website censorship, direct and indirect censorship, and security interference in media operations.
We further urge the international community and human rights organizations to apply the necessary pressure on the Egyptian government to ensure respect for press freedom and journalists’ rights and adherence to international human rights standards that guarantee freedom of opinion and expression.
The Justice for Human Rights Foundation reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending press freedom and the rights of journalists in Egypt, and to continue using all available means to secure a safe and supportive environment for freedom of expression.
We extend our solidarity and appreciation to all Egyptian journalists who face immense challenges and hardships in fulfilling their noble mission to deliver truth and inform the public. Their crucial role in building a democratic and enlightened society cannot be overstated.