PEN America Honors Salman Rushdie with Centenary Courage Award at Literary Gala; Author’s First Public Appearance Since Being Wounded in Knife Attack Nine Months Ago
It was an emotional return to the stage for Salman Rushdie, who for decades has been a tireless defender of persecuted writers and the freedom to write while himself… More
PEN America Responds to Defunding of Kinsey Institute as Another “Alarming Step” in Effort to Exert Political Control over Higher Education
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director, said: “This decision should alarm anyone who cares about the integrity of higher education. It is horrifying that the Indiana legislature… More
PEN America Files Lawsuit Against Florida School District Over Unconstitutional Book Bans
“Children in a democracy must not be taught that books are dangerous. The freedom to read is guaranteed by the constitution,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America. “In… More
PEN America v. Escambia County School District
This lawsuit brings together authors whose books have been banned and parents and students in the district who cannot access the books in a first of its kind challenge… More
Statement by PEN America on the Resignation of Trustee Masha Gessen
PEN America regrets the situation that ensued from the error. As we conveyed to the writers from Ukraine, it is elemental to PEN as advocates of free expression that… More
“Breathtaking” Ohio Bill Would “Mandate” Censorship in State Universities and Colleges, Says PEN America
“SB 83 would not only legalize censorship in Ohio’s public universities, but would mandate it,” said Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director. “SB 83 is the longest… More
Shut Down of Environmental Blog at U of Iowa After Lawmakers Reportedly Complained About It is “Profoundly Alarming,” Says PEN America
It is nothing short of a tragedy that Jones’ blog has been shut down for political reasons. More
PEN America Statement About Ted Sarandos and the Business Visionary Award
PEN America released the following statement: “We admire Ted Sarandos’ singular work translating literature to artful presentation on screen, and his stalwart defense of free expression and satire. As a… More
World Voices Festival: Marlon James
At the 2023 PEN America World Voices Festival, Marlon James is hosting a fireside chat with Nigerian-British writer Ben Okri, followed by a panel on the second novel with… More
PEN America: Choice to Rescind Permission for Event at Medical College of Wisconsin Sends the Message that Speakers Must Pass Through an “Ideological Litmus Test”
"The choice to rescind permission for this event sends a message that the exchange of ideas at the Medical College of Wisconsin is not truly free and must pass… More