White House Blocking Officials From CNN Is Wanton Act of Coercion
The White House's attempt to swap access for coverage is a wanton act of coercion in defiance of press freedom. More
Puerto Rico Decree on Criminalizing Pandemic Disinformation Unconstitutional
While the threat of COVID-19 may warrant unusual measures from governments in efforts to keep communities safe, Puerto Rico's new decree is an unfortunate example of going a step… More
Congress Must Include Local News in Next Coronavirus Stimulus
"The nation's local news outlets have proven themselves to be valiant first responders amid this pandemic." More
Russia Moves to Track Residents Under Cover of Coronavirus
For weeks, the Russian government has failed to undertake serious measures in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and tackling it efficiently. More
Turkish Musician Dies Following Hunger Strike
We are immensely saddened to learn of Helin Bölek’s passing. We strongly condemn the actions of the Turkish government that led to her death. More
Navy Relieves Captain Who Raised Alarm About Coronavirus
(New York, NY) – The U.S. Navy announced today that it has relieved of duty Capt. Brett Crozier, who raised the alarm about a coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship… More
Iran Bans Print Media in Response to COVID-19
(New York, NY) – In response to an Iranian coronavirus task force's wholesale ban on print media, Summer Lopez, PEN America's senior director of free expression programs, issued the following… More
Turkmenistan Discouraging Use of Word Coronavirus
UPDATE: This original statement was based on an erroneous article and misrepresented the scope of the government's censorship. It has been edited to reflect more recent information. PEN America… More
Doctors and Journalists Who Critique Officials Shouldn’t Be Punished
"This pandemic is bad enough without being compounded by a resort to punitive tactics aimed to suppress vital information." More
Trump Threat to Pull TV Licenses Over Coronavirus Ad “Violation of First Amendment”
Silencing critics is clearly a knee-jerk reaction for the president. He has a long history of trying to exploit the legal system to scare his supposed adversaries. More
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PEN America On 
Great double header on #thePENpod tomorrow. First, PEN/Hemingway award winner Ruchika Tomar on the inequality of the pandemic; and then our weekly "tough questions" segment with @SuzanneNossel! Please tune in and subscribe: http://anchor.fm/penamerica
UPDATE: The WH has backtracked. Our CEO @SuzanneNossel says now the @VP should affirm that all government scientists can speak openly to the public without regard to politics.
Glad @VP has reversed egregious ban on Drs #Fauci and #Birx from @CNN in attempt to force network to air WH briefings. Now he should affirm that all US govt scientists are free to speak forthrightly to the public about #COVID, without regard to politics. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/09/media/pence-office-tv-bookings-coronavirus/index.html?utm_source=Daily+Lab+email+list&utm_campaign=5d44f1541b-dailylabemail3&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d68264fd5e-5d44f1541b-396347593