Florida Flag Law Would Chill Free Expression in Schools and Colleges, If Passed
In response to the bill, Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida, said: “This vague bill will chill personal and political expression in our K-12 schools and universities,” said… More
PEN America Applauds Reintroduction of the Saving Local News Act
“The retreat of local news across the country has starved Americans of information necessary for effective democratic citizenship,” said Interim Washington Director Hadar Harris. “By easing news organizations’ ability… More
Quiet Rewrite of Barnard College Policy Appears to be an Effort to Suppress Speech
“The swift rollout of these new website policies, without faculty consultation, makes plain that they are a response to pro-Palestinian speech that someone wanted to suppress,” said Jonathan Friedman,… More
Missouri Candidate Turns Flamethrower on LGBTQ-Themed Books
Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke was among the books torched. Belge said: "LGBTQ teens are vulnerable and antics like this only… More
New Effort by Florida Lawmakers to Undermine Press Freedom is an Attack on Democracy Itself
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office, said: “These bills seek to instill fear in journalists and their sources, chilling constitutionally protected speech. HB 757 and SB 1780… More
PEN America Statement on the Disruption of a Los Angeles Book Event by Protests
Allison Lee, Los Angeles director of PEN America said, “PEN America is a big tent organization that values, supports, and creates dialogue, including among writers who hold wide-ranging points… More
New Policies at American University Undermine Free Expression on Campus
PEN America’s Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager on the Free Expression and Education team, said: “Clamping down on free expression in the name of inclusion is an insult to both… More
House Passes First Federal Bill Shielding Journalists from Revealing Sources
House bill, H.R.4250, known as the PRESS Act (for Protect Reporters from Excessive Suppression Act) is “integral to protect journalists in reporting freely without fear of retaliation or court-ordered… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Children’s Book Author Robie Harris, a Champion of Free Expression and the Right to Read
[caption id="attachment_242286" align="alignnone" width="300"] Robie Harris, left, with PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel at the 2023 PEN America Literary Gala, NYC[/caption] By Suzanne Trimel (NEW YORK)— PEN America is mourning the… More
PEN America Expresses Relief Over Court Injunction Against Texas Law Requiring Sexual Ratings for School Books
“Booksellers are essential in advancing the freedom to read for all. Blocking the implementation of HB 900 will help ensure authors can reach Texas audiences and bookstores can distribute… More