News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
DARE: White House Aides Blur the Legal Lines Between Partisans and Public Servants
White House aides accused of violating the Hatch Act, which prohibits partisan political activity by public officials. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman in San Francisco resigns citing misinformation being… More
DARE: Trump Lawyers Are Considering A Challenge To Stop “60 Minutes” From Airing A Stormy Daniels Interview
Lawyers associated with President Trump reported to be considering legal action to stop 60 Minutes from airing Stormy Daniels interview. More
DARE: Judge to Trump: Muting, not blocking followers, may end suit
Federal judge suggests muting, not blocking critics to Trump on Twitter in response to a First Amendment lawsuit. More
“No Longer a Question of Freedom of Speech”: Squashing Dissent in the Run-Up to Egypt’s Elections
Access to information within the country has been targeted throughout Sisi’s tenure, with nearly 500 websites blocked in Egypt since May 2017; but this targeting rose to a new… More
Egyptian Prosecutors’ Decision to Seek Death Penalty for Photojournalist Shawkan Political Theater at the Expense of Human Rights
"This show trial is in keeping with the Egyptian regime's complete and consistent disregard for even the most basic norms of justice and human rights. As a dedicated photojournalist,… More
DARE: A Judge May Soon Decide Whether Trump Must Unblock People on Twitter
Federal court hearing to be held on case of Twitter users blocked by Trump. Florida middle school teacher is relieved of duties amid revelations of a white supremacist podcast… More
Cartoonist Ramón Esono Ebalé Freed from Prison in Equatorial Guinea
An Equatorial Guinean court on released an artist imprisoned on dubious charges for nearly six months, 18 human rights groups including PEN America said today. The prosecution dropped all… More
DARE: Ben Carson Removes Anti-Discrimination Language From HUD Mission Statement
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson deletes language promising inclusive and discrimination-free communities from department’s mission statement, and separately a HUD employee accuses him of conducting a "witch… More
Polk State College’s Refusal to Display “Controversial” Artwork an Alarming Disregard for Artistic Freedom on Campus
"At a moment when universities around the country are struggling with deeply challenging issues around free expression and students are engaging in debate on these and other crucial matters, Polk… More
The M Word Stories: Nasrin Akter
I grew up in a neighborhood of immigrants, where we all understood each other as multicultural and bilingual. We had questions about each other's cultures and customs, but we… More