News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
Jump to:
Press Releases • Commentary
PEN America Releases Third Annual Prison Writing Anthology
PEN America today announced the release of its third annual PEN America Prison Writing Awards Anthology, this year entitled Breathe into the Ground. More
PEN America: China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Remain World’s Top Jailers of Writers
In PEN America’s annual census of detained writers worldwide, The Freedom to Write Index, the literary and free expression group found that in 2020, at least 273 writers, academics,… More
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel to Join Oversight Board
The literary and free expression group PEN America announced today that its CEO Suzanne Nossel—a free expression expert, human rights leader, author, and lawyer—will join the Oversight Board. More
Detained Belarusian PEN Center Member Must Be Released
PEN America today called for the immediate release of Belarusian PEN Center member Aliaksandr Fiaduta, a political scientist, literary critic, and former aid to Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. More
Trial of Russian Artist Charged With “Disseminating Pornography” Begins
A Russian feminist artist and LGBTQIA+ activist is being tried this week on charges of disseminating pornography for her artwork that depicts nude bodies. More
PEN America Alarmed by Raid on Russian Student Publication
PEN America is deeply worried by reports of a raid on the offices of Doxa, a student-run journal based in Moscow, and on the residences of its staff that… More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Turkish Journalist Ahmet Altan
PEN America today welcomed the news that Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan has been released from prison after spending more than four years behind bars. More
PEN America Concerned by Continued Harassment of Russian Anti-Corruption Journalist
PEN America called a reopened criminal case into Russian investigative reporter Roman Anin “a highly concerning threat to free expression and to journalists in Russia.” More
2021 PEN America Literary Awards Given to Top Literary Stars of the Year, Lifelong Luminaries of Literary Excellence
In front of a record-setting virtual audience, PEN America feted its annual award winners, career achievement honorees, and marked an extraordinary year in literary excellence. More
PEN America Dismayed by Arrest of Myanmar Comedian, Activist
PEN America today expressed deep concern over Myanmar's arrest of comedian and longtime political activist Zarganar. More
Support for the freedom to read with exclusive designs by Todd Parr, Mike Curato, Art Spiegelman, and more!
