Russia: Telegram block leads to widespread assault on freedom of expression online
We, the undersigned 53 international human rights, media and Internet freedom organizations, strongly condemn the attempts to block the Internet messaging service Telegram, which have resulted in extensive violations… More
Shutdown of Messaging App Telegram, Used for News and Encrypted Communications, a Far-Reaching Attack on Free Expression in Russia
“This retaliatory effort to shut down Telegram demonstrates the Russian authorities’ fundamental disregard for free expression and the right to privacy, and highlights the risks to basic human rights… More
Trump Administration’s Plan to Require Personal Online Information from Visa Applicants Likely to Have Widespread Chilling Effect
"Requiring visa applicants to provide the government with information about the last five years of their social media use is an invasive and extremely broad requirement that will undoubtedly… More
Shokjang (Druklo) | Status: Conditional Release | China/Tibet Autonomous Region
Shokjang, a Tibetan writer and intellectual, was arrested in March 2015 and sentenced to three years in prison on February 17, 2016 for writing an essay and blogpost. More
China’s Tightening Grasp on Social Media Offers a Potent Tool of Repression for President-for-Life Xi Jinping, PEN America Report Warns
With an increasing array of technological, legal, and ideological tools at its disposal, Beijing is ever more able and willing to systematically erase expressions of dissent, silencing internet users… More
Egypt: blogger faces new prison sentence for ‘insulting the judiciary’
PEN is deeply concerned that blogger and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah could be subjected to a new prison sentence at his next hearing on December 30, 2017 under… More
Mauritania: President must ensure that blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed regain his freedom
This joint letter was sent to the Mauritanian President on December 6, 2017. Dear President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, We, the undersigned international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), ask you to ensure that blogger… More
Myanmar’s Slow Strangulation of Online Speech
While Saung Kha was one of the first poets arrested and imprisoned under Article 66(d) of Myanmar’s Telecommunications Law, he would not be the last. More
Mauritanian Blogger Released from Prison
NEW YORK—PEN America welcomes the release of blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkheitir in Mauritania after more than three years behind bars. Mkheitir was condemned to death in 2014 for apostasy. The… More
DARE: Daily Alert on Rights and Expression
A court orders a web company to meet a Justice Department demand for data on an anti-Trump website it hosts for an investigation of inauguration day protests. Responding to… More