For the second time in less than a month, Zawia3 has been blocked in Egypt. The move has drawn strong condemnation from 33 international and regional human rights and press organizations, including McGill University and leading media platforms such as Daraj and Raseef22. These organizations have denounced the action as a grave violation of press freedom and a new escalation in state-imposed censorship on independent media.
A New Round of Blocking
Since mid-February, Zawia3 began noticing access issues, with users reporting intermittent browsing difficulties through certain internet service providers. A subsequent technical investigation confirmed that the website had been blocked using a “Reset Attack”, a method that prevents access indirectly by cutting off the connection as soon as users attempt to enter the site.
On February 20, Zawia3 issued a statement confirming the blockade, highlighting that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern. More than 500 news and human rights websites have been blocked in Egypt in recent years.
In an attempt to circumvent the censorship, Zawia3 launched an alternative domain (zawia3.net)—only to have it swiftly blocked as well on February 27. The swift action against the new domain underscored a clear and targeted effort to silence the platform and restrict public access to independent journalism.
Crackdown on Independent Media and Press Freedom
In a joint statement, the signatory organizations expressed grave concern over the intensifying restrictions on press freedom in Egypt. They emphasized that blocking Zawia3 was not an anomaly but part of a systematic strategy to suppress independent journalism and deny citizens access to diverse sources of information.
The statement reaffirmed that press freedom is not just a fundamental right but the cornerstone of any democratic society. It further asserted that Egypt’s actions contradict both its constitutional obligations and its commitments under international law, specifically Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and the dissemination of ideas without unjustified restrictions.
Don’t miss: Zawia3 Has Been Blocked in Egypt
Digital Repression: New Tactics in Online Censorship
The statement also shed light on the growing use of advanced censorship techniques, such as Reset Attacks, which do not outright block websites but render access unstable and unreliable, discouraging users from persisting.
The signatories warned that such digital repression is not only aimed at silencing independent voices but also fosters a climate of fear and self-censorship among journalists and activists, further shrinking the already limited space for public debate and free expression.
Demands for an End to Censorship
The statement called on the Egyptian government to:
- Immediately lift the blockade on Zawia3 and all other censored independent media outlets.
- Halt digital censorship and end practices that obstruct press freedom.
- Ensure a safe environment for journalists, free from legal and security harassment.
The organizations warned that continued suppression of independent journalism would further isolate Egypt internationally and expose it to persistent criticism over its human rights and press freedom record.
“Zawia3 Will Remain”
Following the second blockade, Zawia3 released a statement questioning the rationale behind such censorship:
“What makes an entity decide that a journalistic platform should no longer be accessible? Why is it dangerous for people to have more than one perspective?”
The platform emphasized that the crackdown was not just about Zawia3 itself but part of a broader strategy to control public discourse and restrict the free flow of information and ideas.
Despite the blockade, Zawia3 reaffirmed its commitment to continue its work, explore technical alternatives, and utilize other platforms to ensure that independent journalism remains accessible.
“Journalism is not a privilege granted by authority, nor is it a voice that can be silenced by closing a window,” the statement read.
Each time a domain was blocked, Zawia3 shifted to a new one. When that, too, was shut down, it sought new ways to reach its audience. The truth, even when obstructed, finds a way through. Censorship is not the end—only a desperate attempt to delay what cannot be hidden.
In its final message, Zawia3 declared:
“We are here, and we will remain.”
A Broader Attack on Independent Journalism
Zawia3 is not the first independent news platform to face such suppression in Egypt. Other blocked outlets include Mada Masr, Masr 360, Zat Masr, Cairo 24, Al-Sulta Al-Rabia, among others.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the blockade, calling it part of a systematic crackdown on independent journalism in Egypt. In a statement published on its official website, CPJ accused Egyptian authorities of increasingly using technology to control the press and restrict access to information. It urged the government to end censorship and unblock independent media websites. CPJ noted that Zawia3 was not the first independent outlet to be targeted, pointing out that Cairo 24 was also blocked in November 2024, adding to hundreds of similar cases in recent years. The organization also stated that it had reached out to the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt for a comment but had received no response.
Similarly, the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms condemned the censorship, linking it to the broader campaign against independent journalism. In a statement released last Monday, the “Save Free Expression” campaign described the blockade as punishment for Zawia3’s coverage of politically and socially sensitive issues. The statement pointed out that since 2017, Egypt has blocked over 600 websites, including news platforms and human rights organizations.
The campaign further criticized the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, arguing that its legal authority to impose such censorship is flawed and reinforces state repression. The continued blocking of independent media, the statement concluded, represents a blatant violation of free speech and an ongoing effort to silence dissenting voices in journalism.
Egypt’s Press Freedom Under Fire
Mahamoud Kamel, head of the Freedoms Committee at Egypt’s Journalists’ Syndicate, told Zawia3 that the blockade was part of a broader strategy to stifle independent journalism. She pointed out that authorities use not only direct blocking but also bureaucratic obstacles such as withholding media licenses from platforms that do not align with official narratives.
Kamel noted that the Journalists’ Syndicate has repeatedly issued statements condemning these restrictive policies, urging authorities to end the crackdown on independent media.
As the Egyptian government tightens its grip on the digital space, the fate of independent journalism in the country remains precarious. Yet, Zawia3 and other censored outlets continue to defy suppression, seeking new ways to keep their reporting alive.
