NEW PEN America Report: Digital Censorship and Threats to Creative Expression Rise Against Artists in Asia
“In the last two years, we have witnessed a steady rise in threats and persecution of artists across Asia, a trend where governments are deliberately targeting and silencing cultural… More
PEN America Overjoyed to See Two Defenders of the Freedom to Write Receive Nobel Peace Prize
The free expression and writers' organization PEN America today welcomed the news that journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov will receive the Nobel Peace Prize. More
Artists at Risk Connection Releases New Podcast, ‘Creating Artistic Resilience: Voices of Asia’
In a limited-run podcast Creating Artistic Resilience: Voices of Asia from PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection, five artists and cultural rights defenders from Myanmar, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the… More
Maria Ressa
Ressa, acclaimed journalist and CEO of digital news outlet Rappler, faces legal and political backlash for covering human rights abuses. She was convicted of tax fraud and cyber libel… More
Conviction of Philippines Journalists “Disgraceful Travesty of Justice”
"This verdict is a disgraceful travesty of justice. It marks a sad day for democracy in the Philippines and for press freedom the world over." More
Maria Josephina Vergina Laurio Jover
Writer and anonymous blogger on criminality, Laurio’s identity was revealed in October 2017. Since then, she has faced a barrage of threats, including threats of rape. She reportedly moved… More
Arrest of Maria Ressa Exposes Philippines Government’s Intention to Stamp Out Investigative Journalism
By arresting her on these absurd and baseless charges, concerning an article published 7 years ago and prior to the enactment of the very law under which she is… More
Charges Against Philippines Journalist Maria Ressa an Affront to Free Expression
"The latest charges against Maria Ressa and Rappler lack any clear legal basis and represent an overtly politicized attempt to further cow this brave investigative journalist and her colleagues into submission and silence." More
Poet Ericson Acosta Released, Charges Dropped
PEN International is delighted to learn that the case against poet, song-writer, journalist, and activist Ericson Acosta has been dismissed for lack of evidence. More
Poet, Journalist, and Activist Remains Detained Without Trial
Poet, journalist, and activist Ericson Acosta, who has been held without trial since February 2011, may be targeted for his legitimate human rights activities. More