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Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools
PEN America recorded more book bans during the fall 2022 semester than in each of the prior two semesters. More
The 11 Most Banned Books of the Start of the 2022-2023 School Year
These were the 11 most banned books at the start of the 2022-2023 school year, according to PEN America's Index of Banned Books. More
New Report: 28% Rise in School Book Bans Over First Half of 2022-23 School Year
“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer of PEN America. “Some politicians like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis… More
Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools
PEN America recorded more book bans during the fall 2022 semester than in each of the prior two semesters. More
Unsealed: Lost Lifelines, and the Harmful Effects of Prison Mail Scanning
Jess Abolafia discusses the challenges of digitizing mail to and from prison, and why it does more harm than good. More
The Legacy of Martin Sostre (1923-2015)
Moira Marquis pays homage to Martin Sostre, a self-taught jailhouse lawyer who won several lawsuits against censorship to secure the rights of incarcerated people. More
An Interview with Chicago Books to Women in Prison
PEN America’s Moira Marquis interviews Chicago Books to Women in Prison to learn more about why they choose to work exclusively with women’s prisons. More
Expanded ‘Don’t Say Gay” Law in Florida is a “Flagrant Escalation” of Censorship in Schools, Says PEN America
Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education Programs, released the following statement: "With this decision, the DeSantis administration and the Board of Education are continuing a frontal attack… More
PEN America Urges Tennessee Gov. Lee to Reject Legislation that Would Subject Publishers and Book Distributors to Criminal Penalties for ‘Obscene Materials’ Sent to Public Schools
Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, issued the following comments on the bill: "Regardless of what the supporters of this law say, it serves little… More
As China Shows Again Its Willingness to Silence Dissenting Voices Beyond its Borders, PEN America Welcomes US Government Action to Challenge Repression on US Soil
"Today's action by the Department of Justice sends a vital message that the long arm of authoritarianism will not go unchallenged. It is essential that democratic governments forcefully defend… More