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DARE: Trump Denies Making ‘Shithole Countries’ Comment
The language of racism and ignorance comes to the fore as President Trump is reported to denigrate Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries at a meeting on immigration, and… More
Detained Bangladeshi Blogger Asad Noor Should be Released and Given Protection
Bloggers like Asad Noor live in fear of physical attack or even murder from extremist groups on the one hand, and then face persecution from their government on the other. We… More
Vote to Reauthorize Warrantless Surveillance a Blow to Free Expression
The House vote to reauthorize warrantless surveillance poses an acute threat to free expression across the globe, but it is doubly concerning given President Trump's apparent willingness to target… More
DARE: Trump Renews Pledge to ‘Take a Strong Look’ at Libel Laws
Trump threatens to stiffen libel laws in wake of Michael Wolff book (see PEN America statement here). Controversy erupts over "Shitty Men in Media" list that circulated last fall.… More
Thailand: Charges against octogenarian writer and activist dropped
PEN welcomes the decision taken by Thai military prosecutors not to pursue charges of lèse majesté against renowned writer and activist Sulak Sivaraksa. Background Sulak Sivaraksa, aged 85, is a well… More
Trump’s Threat to “Take a Strong Look” at Libel Laws an Attack on U.S. Constitution
Under the First Amendment people are free to denigrate and offend the president or anyone else, a freedom with which the president should be well-acquainted given his own penchant… More
DARE: Steve Bannon Out At Breitbart News
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is ousted from right-wing media outlet Breitbart after angering Trump with his comments in Michael Wolff's book, Fire and Fury. Trump attorney sues… More
Half-Free: How “Conditional Release” Continues to Limit Free Expression for Writers at Risk
The goals of incarceration and limited release are one in the same: to suppress free expression and to enforce silence. More
Myanmar Must Release Detained Reuters Journalists Wa Lone and Moe Aung Immediately
The ongoing detention of Wa Lone and Moe Aung, coupled with the threat of serious criminal charges being levied against them, is a blatant attempt to intimidate the press… More
DARE: Publisher: Trump effort to stop book ‘flagrantly unconstitutional’
MacMillan publishing CEO John Sargent fires back at Trump, echoing PEN America's conclusion that the White House's cease and desist letter targeting Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury was "flagrantly… More