Issued on May 3, 2026
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, the Arab Foundation affirms that freedom of opinion and expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by international human rights instruments, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and must not be restricted or undermined under any circumstances.
In this context, the Foundation expresses deep concern over the state of press freedom in Egypt and the Arab world, where journalists continue to face serious challenges ranging from professional restrictions and legal prosecution to detention بسبب their journalistic work or peaceful expression of opinions, and even targeting and قتل during armed conflicts.
The number of detained journalists in Egypt is estimated to range between 18 and 23, the majority of whom are held in pretrial detention in cases related to freedom of expression, amid ongoing practices of prolonged detention renewals and case recycling.
Accordingly, the Foundation calls for the immediate release of all journalists detained in connection with freedom of expression cases, whether working for local or international media outlets. These include journalist Ismail Alexandrani, journalist Safaa Al-Kurbeji, Mr. Sayed Saber, Ahmed Douma, and cartoonist Ashraf Omar, among others who remain in pretrial detention.
The Foundation also calls for the release of all activists and political figures detained in cases related to freedom of expression, particularly engineer Yehia Hussein Abdel Hady, economic researcher Abdel Khaleq Farouk, and Dr. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh.
The Foundation further notes with concern Egypt’s low ranking in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index issued by Reporters Without Borders, where it ranked 169th out of 180 countries—followed only by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain—reflecting an urgent need to review policies and legislation governing media work to ensure a safe and independent environment for journalists and to promote pluralism and the free flow of information.
Sherif Helaly, Executive Director of the Foundation, calls on the Egyptian authorities to uphold their international commitments, ensure the protection of journalists, end all forms of harassment against them, and open public space for freedom of expression. He also reiterates the call for the release of all journalists held in pretrial detention or referred to trial in cases related to publishing and journalistic work.
The Foundation reaffirms its solidarity with journalists across the Arab world and calls for genuine reforms to guarantee media independence and respect citizens’ right to access information, as a cornerstone of any free and prosperous society.
