00:01A court in Egypt has postponed the retrial of prominent journalist Lina Atala until November 18, as her defense seeks
00:10to have the presiding judge removed.
00:13Atala, editor-in-chief of independent news outlet Madam Aser, faces charges of operating a news website without a license
00:21and publishing false news.
00:23She was previously sentenced to one year in prison in absentia in 2024 without her knowledge.
00:30Her lawyer argues the judge has already formed a conviction against her.
00:36The case has sparked international concern with the United Nations and Press Freedom Group's warning of growing attacks on independent
00:43journalism in Egypt.
00:45The controversy deepened last month when the same judge fined Atala 3 million Egyptian pounds and ordered the closure of
00:53Madam Aser in a separate case.
00:56Reporters Without Borders has condemned the proceedings, while the Committee to Protect Journalists is calling on Egyptian authorities to reverse
01:04the outlet's shutdown.
01:05Atala says repeated licensing applications by Madam Aser have gone unanswered for years, arguing that regulation is being used as
01:14a tool of control.
