PEN America Denounces Disney’s Removal of Simpsons Episode
"This type of preemptive self-censorship represents the end-game of all censors: to have the targets of censorship police themselves." More
The PEN Pod: On The University of Austin, Myanmar, and China
“We’re extremely happy for Danny Fenster. . . but I think the real question is, do we see any loosening vis-à-vis the free expression of Myanmar’s own reporters and… More
PEN America Cheers Women’s Tennis Association’s Strong Support for Tennis Star Peng Shuai
WTA's defense of Peng Shuai is a rare example of businesses standing up to Chinese censorship. More
China Must Release Ailing Journalist Who Covered COVID Outbreak
Chinese authorities must immediately release citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who is reportedly “close to death” while on hunger strike in protest of her imprisonment for documenting and reporting the… More
PEN America Decries Arrests of Chinese Social Media Users Who Critiqued Film
PEN America today denounced the recent arrests of two Chinese social media users who made critical comments about The Battle of Changjin Lake, a state-sponsored blockbuster film set during… More
Imprisoned Chinese Activist Xu Zhiyong Indicted for ‘Subversion’
Lawyers for imprisoned Chinese activist and writer Xu Zhiyong—the 2020 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write honoree—indicated this week that he's now been indicted for “subversion,” alongside fellow human rights lawyer… More
Uyghur Professor Rahile Dawut Confirmed to Be Imprisoned by Chinese Authorities
Former coworkers of Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut—who disappeared nearly four years ago and was believed to be in Chinese custody—confirmed this week that authorities have sentenced and imprisoned her. More
The PEN Pod: On Censorship, Academic Freedom, and Hate Speech
“Even if you didn’t believe that fighting against hate crimes is just the right thing to do, as a moral matter, I think it’s also instrumental for the protection… More