News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
New Arrest of Journalist in Yemen Renews Fears from Ongoing Threats Against Free Expression
"Authorities in Taiz should release Jameel al-Samat at once, and all relevant authorities in Yemen must stop attacks and detentions of those who peacefully express themselves.” More
PEN America Condemns Added One Year Prison Sentence Imposed Unjustly on Iranian Human Rights Defender Narges Mohammadi
“The new charges against Narges Mohammadi fly in the face of freedom of expression, and are a cynical tactic aimed at silencing her brave and fearless voice from speaking… More
PEN America: “Appalling” and “Dangerous” Move by Florida to Cut AP Psychology Course
Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan said: “It is appalling but not surprising that Florida would attempt to gut a critical curriculum just weeks before school begins. This… More
These Books Are Banned in Urbandale, Iowa School District
PEN America sent an open letter to the Urbandale, Iowa school district to reverse an order to remove a list of nearly 400 titles. Here are some of the… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
PEN America: Trump’s Lawyers’ First Amendment Assertions on Indictment Are “Bogus” and “Readily Debunked”
“Donald Trump's legal team's assertion of a First Amendment defense to four charges of felony conspiracy, including to defraud the United States and obstruct an official proceeding is as bogus… More
PEN America Joins More Than 60 NGOs Calling for Release of Chinese Lawyer Detained in Laos
“We call on third party governments to ask Lao authorities to immediately halt Lu Siwei’s repatriation and to move quickly to ensure he has access to the relevant UN… More
Crackdown on Free Expression and Dissent Widens in Tunisia, With Arrest of Poet and Scholar Sami Dhibi Over a Facebook Post
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy lead at PEN America, said: “Dhibi’s arrest is a sign of a government afraid of its own people, and… More
New PEN America White Paper: The Human Spark That Drives Creativity Must be Safeguarded As Potential Threats Loom from Artificial Intelligence
“Generative AI and automated tools represent a sea change in how artists, journalists, and writers create, interact with, and disseminate content, and how the public understands and consumes it.… More
PEN America: Bill Intended to Protect Children Online Would Likely Block Them From Information They Need, Especially on Health and Wellness Concerns
"Platforms would almost certainly choose to over-filter content rather than not—and some platforms might move to prohibit access to minors completely. If the Kids Online Safety Act is passed,… More