Research & Resources
PEN America’s innovative research and analysis explores the impact of government policy, public sentiment, and media consumption trends on free expression in countries around the globe. The resulting reports inform policy recommendations and public toolkits to help our members and supporters advocate for sustainable change.
Freedom to Write Index 2023
The 2023 Freedom to Write Index records the highest number of jailed writers around the globe since the Index launched five years ago. More
Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis
This report utilizes snapshots to illustrate the hateful rhetoric driving book bans and personal damage that this movement has done to students and communities alike. More
Cracks in the Facade: Lessons Learned From Florida’s Ongoing Censorship Campaign
Florida's strategies rooted in censorship and the weakening of public education are proving damaging and unpopular. More
The Power of Peer Support: Helping Journalists Persevere in the Face of Online Abuse
We see industry-wide peer support as an especially important component of reducing the harms of online abuse in the journalism industry. More
Spineless Shelves: Two Years of Book Banning
As 2023 comes to a close, this data summary examines the insidious trend of book banning in public schools over the last two academic years, drawing from data collected… More
The Florida Effect: How the Sunshine State is Driving the Conservative Agenda on Free Expression
Florida’s legislative proposals have been picked up and replicated around the nation, providing a blueprint for how to suppress Americans’ speech. More
The California Effect: How the Golden State is Driving the Progressive Agenda on Free Expression
California’s free expression policies set new legislative agendas where states may not have laws on the books. More
America’s Censored Classrooms 2023: Lawmakers Shift Strategies as Resistance Rises
In 2023, Educational gag orders changed dramatically in their shape. Their supporters have new and more insidious strategies for silencing America’s educators. More
Taming Culture in Georgia
This report examines the Georgian Ministry of Culture’s significant infringements on cultural rights and free expression with examples from various sectors, including literature, art, film, theater and cultural research. More
Reading Between the Bars
In this report, we seek to shine a light on the staggering realities of prison censorship and challenge its normalization, both legally and culturally. More