Russia Labels Mediazona as ‘Foreign Agent’ in Ongoing Crackdown
The Russian justice ministry this week designated the independent investigative news outlet Mediazona and its editor-in-chief, Sergei Smirnov, as “foreign agents.” More
PEN America Decries LinkedIn’s Apparent State-Influenced Censorship
PEN America today said that by blocking or otherwise censoring the LinkedIn profiles of journalists, activists, and writers, the company is capitulating to state-influenced censorship. More
PEN America Welcomes Congressional Resolution Condemning Repression in Belarus
Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced a resolution in the U.S. House decrying the Belarusian regime and its brutal suppression of the pro-democracy movement over the… More
Cuban Artist and Activist Hamlet Lavastida Released From Detention
Cuban artist and activist Hamlet Lavastida was released Saturday after three months in detention. More
PEN America Urges Newsom to Sign Bill Protecting Reporters at Protests
PEN America today joined calls for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign SB 98, a bill that would put into law protection for journalists covering protests and other demonstrations. More
Tell Iran to Release Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi
Join PEN America in calling on Iran to release Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, honorees of the 2021 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award. More
New Network Launching to Provide Support to Artists at Risk in Latin America and the Caribbean
PEN America announced today it is launching a network to provide rapid response support for artists across Latin America and the Caribbean. More
PEN America Says Rwanda’s Rusesabagina Denied Fair Trial
A court in Rwanda Monday found Paul Rusesabagina guilty of forming and funding a terrorist group. More
Russia Effectively Blackmailed Apple, Google Into Removing Voting App
Google and Apple have removed from their stores a tactical voting app from imprisoned activist Alexei Navalny and his allies after coming under pressure from the Russian government for… More
Book Ban in Pennsylvania School District Sets Troubling Precedent for Access to Diverse Literature
Students, teachers, and parents in York, PA have staged protests this month over an ongoing ban in the district of a set of books and other materials related to… More