U.S. Pursuit of Assange on Espionage Charges Continues to Pose a Threat to Press Freedom
"The risk that Julian Assange could face charges in the U.S. under the Espionage Act continues to pose an alarming threat to press freedom. These charges encompass work that is… More
Statement on the Death of Alexei Navalny
"PEN America mourns the cruel death of Alexei Navalny who embodied the spirit of a free Russia with a spine of steel, unremitting determination and a spirit of derring… More
Oral Arguments Set for 1/10 on Groundbreaking Federal Lawsuit Challenging Book Bans in Florida
Katie Blankenship, PEN America’s Florida director, said: “School libraries are not state propaganda centers. They are meant to be sites of inquiry, where students can encounter a diverse range… More
More than 1,600 books banned in Escambia County, Florida
Five dictionaries are on Escambia County's list of more than 1,600 books banned pending investigation in December 2023, along with eight different encyclopedias, The Guinness Book of World Records,… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Palestinian Scholar-Writer Refaat Alareer
“Through his writing, Refaat Alareer sought to shine a light on life in Gaza. He wanted the world to know the stories of how ordinary Palestinians lived and loved,… More
Bard College and PEN America Launch Fellowship for International Artists Persecuted for Their Work
Bard College and PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) today announce the inaugural cohort of fellows for the Center for Ethics and Writing Program, comprising five international artists… More
Author and LGBTQ Rights Advocate Jennifer Finney Boylan Elected President of PEN America
With rising censorship of books, Jennifer Finney Boylan said she wants to be a voice in support of free expression for all, including liberal and conservative viewpoints and those… More
New Grant Award Will Fund PEN America’s DREAMing Out Loud Program Over the Coming Five Years
Roxanne Coady, one of the funders of the program, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the DREAMing Out Loud program. As the daughter of refugees I am acutely… More
Crisis of Polarization and Free Speech Over Israel and Hamas War Will be Examined at Annual General Meeting on 12/11 in New York City
A panel drawn from the worlds of culture, journalism, global affairs, and the law will look at the ripple effects of the war on these ecosystems in the United… More
PEN America Endorses “Fight Book Bans Act” Introduced in Congress To Help School Districts with Financial Burden of Book Bans
Laura Schroeder, Congressional affairs lead for PEN America, said: “Banning books in schools is not only unpopular; it’s expensive. As school districts around the country divert resources to address… More