News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
Now the Most Challenged and Banned Book, Gender Queer Was Written to Give Teenagers the Guidance that Author Maia Kobabe Never Had
“If I’d had a book to read like this, specifically, when I was like a freshman in high school, it would have saved me years of questioning and confusion… More
Firing of Tenured Professor at Bakersfield College “Blurred Lines” Between Protected Speech and Conduct that May Merit Investigation, Says PEN America
Jeremy C. Young, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, issued the following statement: “Universities should never throw the kitchen sink at faculty in an attempt to… More
Student Decision to Prevent Speaker from On-Campus Talk in Spokane is Disappointing, Especially in Light of Historic Levels of Education Censorship, Says PEN America
A fear that the speech will offend some listeners cannot be the bar by which invitations to speakers are denied on campuses. More
PEN America Denounces Decision by Montana House to Bar Transgender Lawmaker from House Floor as a “Betrayal” of the Democratic Process
“This decision by the Montana House is deeply disturbing, especially on the heels of similar actions by the Tennessee legislature to expel lawmakers and silence protesterse,” said Kate Ruane,… More
PEN America Calls on China to Release Taiwan-based Publisher Li Yanhe
Li Yanhe had published books by Chinese dissidents and on subjects that otherwise would have been banned by Beijing. He has given Chinese-language readers access to different ideas and… More
PEN America: Removal of Art Exhibit on Florida Campus Shows the State Again Exerting Control over Free Expression
In response to the removal, PEN America’s senior manager of free expression and education Kristen Shahverdian, said: “It’s disappointing to see yet another removal of art on a Florida… More
Fear That Unusual Directive on Tenure by Interim President of New College of Florida May Further Erode the College’s Integrity
Given the precarious state of free expression at New College, and given that the professors in question have apparently fulfilled the requirements for tenure and had their cases approved… More
As Twitter Dismantles Safeguards, Onus Shifts to Users to Prevent the Spread of Disinformation
"With Twitter having dismantled safeguards against the spread of disinformation and impersonation, a heavy onus now shifts to users to bring a discerning eye to the platform, taking everything… 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
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