Rising Restrictions on Artistic Freedom in Africa Linked to Political Crises, Flawed Elections and Covid
“Over the last few years in Africa, we have witnessed disturbing attacks on artists from around the continent, accompanied by widespread and pernicious efforts to dampen the right to… More
PEN America and Amani: Africa Creative Defense Network Condemn “Unjust Sentences” and Flogging of Nigerian TikTok Comedians Over Satirical Video Skits
These comedians have the right to express themselves and their views freely and without fear of harm, and satire is not and should never be treated as a crime,”… More
Wole Soyinka to Present Award to Henry Louis Gates Jr. at PEN America Gala
PEN America announced today that acclaimed Nigerian writer, poet, and playwright Wole Soyinka will fly in from Nigeria to offer remarks at the organization’s 2021 Literary Gala celebration in… More
Nigeria’s Twitter Ban Is “Outrageous Assault on Citizens’ Rights”
The literary and free expression group PEN America today chastised the Nigerian government's decision to suspend Twitter. More
Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore, a political activist and journalist, was arrested and detained by police on December 31, 2020 during a candlelight procession he had organized against bad governance in Nigeria.… More
PEN America Supports Green/Castro Resolution on #EndSARS Movement in Nigeria
Reps. Al Green (D-TX) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX) introduced a resolution calling for the protection and promotion of freedom of expression and assembly in Nigeria. More
PEN America Welcomes Congressional Resolution on Nigeria Protests
"Rep. Green’s resolution shines a powerful light on the decline of free expression in Nigeria while recommitting the United States to upholding the right to assembly as a cornerstone… 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 Condemns Death Sentence for Nigerian Musician
"His conviction and subsequent detention are blatant and alarming violations of Sharif’s fundamental right to freedom of expression." More
Godwin Agbroko
Agbroko, editorial board chairman of This Day and longtime news editor was arrested for his work in 1995 and 1996. He was released in 1997 within weeks of receiving… More
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PEN America On 
Free expression organization @PENamerica released a letter signed by more than a dozen other civil liberties organizations opposing federal legislation and proposals that seek to impose a wholesale ban on social media platform TikTok in US .
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a3ddb/restrict-act-insanely-broad-ban-tiktok-vpns
The superintendent says this ban of NINETEEN MINUTES and 13 other books not a ban. Explain to me how permanently REMOVING a book from a library shelf is not a ban? https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1641517467976474641
Yes. ND gov: "The teaching profession is challenging enough without the heavy hand of state government forcing teachers to take on the role of pronoun police." https://thehill.com/homenews/3926656-north-dakota-governor-vetoes-bill-restricting-transgender-students-pronouns/