News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
New PEN America Report: Deep and Persistent Obstacles in Publishing Houses Impede Greater Diversity in Terms of Authors and Stories Told
“Publishers are the curators of America’s stories,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, chief program officer for PEN America’s Literary Programs. “They are gatekeepers who decide whose stories will be told… More
Five Year Prison Sentence Against Performance Artist in Russia Is “Unjust” Criminalization of Free Expression
PEN America called on the international community to speak out in support of Krisevich’s right to free expression. His works of protest art have long been targeted by Russian… More
Call for Release of Six Tibetans, Including 3 Writers, Sentenced to Prison on National Security-Related Charges
A report by Radio Free Asia on Tuesday revealed that the detained writers were sentenced last month on charges of “inciting separatism” and “endangering state security.” Poet and essayist… More
Two Federal Judges Announce Boycotts of Yale Law Grads for Clerkships
Jeremy C. Young, senior manager of free expression and education programs at PEN America, released the following statement: “The boycott proposed by Judges Ho and Branch is both cruel and… More
PEN America Condemns State-Sponsored Execution of Ukrainian Orchestra Conductor for Reportedly Refusing Concert in Russian-Occupied City of Kherson
Ukrainian and international artists and writers were swift in their condemnation of Kerpatenko’s murder: “The history of Russia imposing a ‘comply or die’ policy against artists is nothing new.… More
PEN America Condemns Transfer of Vietnamese Writer Pham Doan Trang to Remote Prison
“From Pham Doan Trang’s lengthy incommunicado detention to the wholly disproportionate and unjustified sentence of nine years in prison handed down in her case last year, it comes as… More
Cancellation of Down In Mississippi Play on Texas Campus Is An Affront to Artistic Freedom
Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs, said: "The decision to cancel this production because of some students' objections is an alarming affront to artistic freedom. While students'… More
NEW PEN America Report: Digital Censorship and Threats to Creative Expression Rise Against Artists in Asia
“In the last two years, we have witnessed a steady rise in threats and persecution of artists across Asia, a trend where governments are deliberately targeting and silencing cultural… More
PEN America Recognizes the Courage and Activism of Nobel Peace Prize Winners in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus
“Living under a government determined to break the will of even its most stalwart critics, Bialiatski has fought for human rights unflinchingly for decades, sacrificing his freedom, safety, and… More
PEN International and Artists at Risk Connection Condemn Detention of Artists and Writers in Cuba After Peaceful Protests
“There is no possible justification for the Cuban government to arbitrarily detain citizens including writers and artists for taking to the streets to peacefully demand their rights. The global… More