4 days ago
Egypt Arrests Six Matsaddash Journalists Over Alleged Brotherhood Links
Egyptian police arrested six journalists who work for a website called Matsaddash.
The government accused the website of spreading false information for the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood is banned as a terrorist group in Egypt.
Matsaddash denied being connected to the group.
The outlet said it had published reports correcting misinformation from Brotherhood-affiliated media.
A rights organization said the journalists’ homes were searched and their electronic devices were taken.
The organization is helping defend the journalists in court.
Rights groups say journalists in Egypt often face arrests over alleged false news.
The arrests included everyone in Matsaddash’s newsroom, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
Egyptian police arrested six journalists from investigative and fact-checking outlet Matsaddash on accusations of spreading misinformation for the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said the arrests involved the outlet’s entire newsroom and that it is providing legal representation.
Plainclothes security personnel reportedly raided the journalists’ homes Monday evening and confiscated electronic devices.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry alleged Matsaddash was managed from abroad as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s media apparatus.
Matsaddash denied any Brotherhood affiliation, while the Committee to Protect Journalists said 19 journalists are currently detained in Egypt.
- Who
- Egyptian police arrested six Matsaddash journalists; the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights is providing legal representation.
- What
- The journalists were arrested over accusations of spreading misinformation on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Where
- The arrests and reported home raids took place in Egypt.
- When
- The arrests were disclosed on Sept. 30; home raids reportedly began Monday evening.
- Why
- The Interior Ministry alleged Matsaddash was managed from abroad as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s media apparatus; Matsaddash denied the allegation.
Egyptian Authorities’ Account
Matsaddash’s Account
Alleged Brotherhood affiliation
Egyptian Authorities’ Account
The Interior Ministry said Matsaddash was managed from abroad as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s media apparatus, with assistance from Brotherhood elements inside Egypt.
Matsaddash’s Account
Matsaddash denied being affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and said it had published corrections to misinformation from Brotherhood-affiliated media outlets.
Media environment
Egyptian Authorities’ Account
Authorities arrested the journalists over allegations of spreading misinformation and false news.
Matsaddash’s Account
Matsaddash and rights organizations described a broader environment in which independent Egyptian outlets struggle to operate and journalists are frequently arrested over alleged false news and rumors.
Key facts
- Outlet
- Matsaddash, a fact-checking and investigative digital platform operating since 2018.
- People arrested
- Six journalists, comprising the outlet’s entire newsroom according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
- Government accusation
- The Interior Ministry accused Matsaddash of spreading misinformation for the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
- Outlet response
- Matsaddash denied affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and cited its reports correcting misinformation from Brotherhood-affiliated media.
- Reported searches
- Plainclothes security personnel reportedly raided the journalists’ homes and confiscated electronic devices.
- Journalists detained
- The Committee to Protect Journalists said 19 journalists are currently detained in Egypt.
Sources
Related news
Rights Group Revises Gaza Journalist Death Toll After Review
South African Journalist Freed and Deported from Djibouti
ED Raids Urdu Daily Linked to TMC MP Nadimul Haque
UP Police Book Six Handles Over False High Court Claims
Bengal Muslims Detained in Midnight Raids Over Citizenship Claims