PEN America Convenes Emergency Congress of Writers In Response to the War in Ukraine and Other Global Crises
PEN America Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Nossel said, “At a time when governments seem at a loss to confront the multiplying scourges of violence, disinformation, polarization, environmental degradation, corruption,… More
Council on Foreign Relations Hosts PEN America and Delegation of Ukraine Writers for May 16 Conversation in Washington
The group will discuss the current atmosphere for the country’s authors and activists, as well as the threat Russia poses to Ukraine’s sovereignty, cultural heritage, and identity. More
South Dakota School District May Physically Destroy its Banned Books, a Move PEN America Says Reflects “Uncompromising Extremism”
Books, words, and works of literature are being seen as so objectionable that they must be obliterated. PEN America calls on the Rapid City Area School Board to resist… More
Decision by University of St. Thomas to Ban Speaker is “Wrongheaded,” Says PEN America
“The decision by the University of St. Thomas to ban Michael Knowles from campus is unfortunate and wrongheaded. Bans and prohibitions on speakers are toxic policies for educational institutions, even… More
On World Press Freedom Day, PEN America Welcomes Congressional Resolution to Affirm Critical Role of Journalists
Nadine Farid Johnson, PEN America’s Washington director, said: “Journalists are operating under increasingly oppressive and dangerous conditions, yet their role in upholding the most basic tenets of democracy has… More
Book Banning In Walton County Based On Misleading “Porn In Schools Report” Illustrates Alarming Influence Of Fringe Groups On Educational Censorship
School districts like Walton are letting bigoted, unfounded claims dictate access to literature for all Last week, reports circulated that Walton County School District in Florida decided to remove a… More
Letter to Hinds County School District Regarding Termination of Assistant Principal Toby Price
PEN America today sent a follow up letter to the officials of the Hinds County School District, concerning the ongoing adjudication of the decision to terminate former Gary Road… More
For Educational Gag Orders, The Vagueness Is The Point
We find that instead of clarifying the laws, guidance documents have muddied the waters, further eroding academic freedom and students’ right to learn. More
PEN America: Senate Resolution to Preserve and Protect Local News Supports a Vital Sector for a Thriving Democracy
Nadine Farid Johnson, PEN America’s Washington director, said: “A strong local news sector is a key tenet of democracy. The decline of local news in recent years threatens to… More