News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
PEN America to Honor Darnella Frazier, Young Woman Who Documented George Floyd’s Murder
“With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black… More
PEN America Rejects Proposed DHS Visa Changes for Foreign Nationals
“The last thing the United States should be doing is putting unnecessary bureaucratic impediments in the way of foreign journalists." More
Zoom Disallows Webinar Featuring Controversial Speaker
"There are good reasons why our telephone companies and internet providers do not act as message police, allowing access to their platforms only for those whose messages are pre-approved." More
Brazilian Filmmaker Subjected to Wave of Harassment After Satirical Tweet
"We are saddened and disappointed to see that Cuenca has had to endure a wave of vitriolic harassment online and face legal action as a result of his satirical… More
Poet and PEN Belarus Member Imprisoned for Demonstrating
“Strotsev now joins a long list of Belarusian cultural figures who have been unjustly detained and faced brutal treatment for expressing dissent through their art." More
PEN America Demands End to Violence Against Protesters in Nigeria
“The use of indiscriminate and senseless violence to suppress peaceful protests against police violence in Nigeria is as heartbreaking as it is horrific." More
PEN America Appeals to UN on Behalf of Detained Chinese Writer
"We will continue to advocate for Xu until he is released, and we continue to call upon the Chinese government to drop these abusive and politically-motivated charges against him.” More
Pompeo Weighs Tarring Human Rights Groups As ‘Anti-Semitic’
"It is frankly abhorrent—and an affront to the First Amendment—to see the U.S. government pull directly from the playbook of dictators the world over by attempting to smear and… More
As Saudia Arabia Hosts W20 Summit, Women’s Rights Activists Remain Imprisoned
"The cruel and unjust incarceration that women such as Loujain Al-Hathloul and Nasrin Sotoudeh face represent the harrowing experiences of many others detained in the prisons of Saudi Arabia… More
PEN America Welcomes Rep. Schiff’s Bill Promoting Accountability for Human Rights Violations Against Journalists
“Rep. Schiff’s bill is an important step toward expanding protections for journalists who face risks of imprisonment, torture, and even death for the work they do every day discerning… More