New PEN America Report: U.S. Prisons Ban Staggering Numbers of Books
“The extent of prison book banning is alarming and an attack on the written word itself.” said Moira Marquis, senior manager of PEN America’s Freewrite Project and lead author… More
PEN America Statement on Canceling of Cultural Events, Amid War
“PEN America objects to the cancellation of book and cultural events, awards and promotions because of viewpoints and narratives that have become contentious in the context of the war… More
Strong Condemnation of Russia’s Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva
(NEW YORK) - PEN America strongly condemns the detention by the Russian government of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Prague-based journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), for failing to register… More
Amid Campus Protests Over Israel-Hamas War, Students Should Not Face Punishment for Speaking Out
PEN America’s senior manager of free expression, Kristen Shahverdian, made the following comments: "Universities have an obligation to protect the free speech rights of their students. It would be… More
Palestinian People and Culture Under Threat from Israel’s Retaliatory Attacks
Also: See Our Oct. 10 Statement (PEN America Deplores 'Vicious Attack' Against Israeli Citizens) (NEW YORK - Published at 3:48 pm ET)— PEN America mourns the devastating loss of civilian… More
Scholastic Urged to Explore Other Options Instead of Limiting or Partitioning Diverse Book Titles At School Book Fairs
Despite the challenges of this climate, we call on Scholastic to explore other solutions so they can reject any role in accommodating these nefarious laws and local pressures, or… More
PEN America Calls on LitProm to Reconsider Postponement of Shibli Award
PEN America condemns a decision by the Frankfurt Book Fair to cancel planned award ceremony in honor of Palestinian writer Adania Shibli. More
PEN America Criticizes U.S. Human Rights Record (Update Oct 16, 2023)
PEN America submitted a report to the United Nations Committee on Civil and Political Rights, criticizing the human rights record of the United States on free expression, discrimination, and… More
Doxxing of Harvard Students is a Threat to Free Expression, Says PEN America.
Kristen Shahverdian, PEN America’s senior manager of free expression and education, said: “Exposing students’ private information and intimidating them into silence is an undeniable threat to freedom of expression.… More
Guidance on Campus Free Speech, Amid Controversies and Protests Related to Israel and Gaza
Students, faculty, and staff can refer to PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Guide and Online Harassment Field Manual for further reading, resources, and practical advice. More