It’s Not Just Florida: 4 New ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Laws Passed in 2023
Teachers in North Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa, and Indiana are beginning their school years newly stripped of their right to say “gay.” More
New Laws Target LGBTQ+ Students and Put Pressure on Teachers to Monitor and Report Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Schools
“This is an alarming trend that threatens to turn teachers into the sexuality and gender police of public education, forcing them by law to monitor the most personal of… More
PEN America: Using Artificial Intelligence to Ban Books Only Makes the Problem Worse
“There’s no good method for banning books, but the Mason City School District's decision to use AI technology to review and remove books is deeply misguided, undercuts free expression,… More
These Books Are Banned in Urbandale, Iowa School District
PEN America sent an open letter to the Urbandale, Iowa school district to reverse an order to remove a list of nearly 400 titles. Here are some of the… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
Shut Down of Environmental Blog at U of Iowa After Lawmakers Reportedly Complained About It is “Profoundly Alarming,” Says PEN America
PEN America’s senior manager of free expression and education Kristen Shahverdian said: “It is nothing short of a tragedy that Jones’ blog has been shut down for political reasons.… More
For Educational Gag Orders, The Vagueness Is The Point
We find that instead of clarifying the laws, guidance documents have muddied the waters, further eroding academic freedom and students’ right to learn. More
Trial for Journalist Who Covered Racial Justice Protests Set to Conclude
A journalist in Iowa testified in her own defense Wednesday as she stands trial for charges related to her work covering last year’s racial justice protests. More
DARE: In Push for 2020 Election Security, Top Official Was Warned: Don’t Tell Trump
The New York Times reports that the recently resigned Homeland Security secretary, responsible for cyberdefense, was told not to bring up preparations... More
Iowa House’s Decision to Deny Influential Blogger Laura Belin a Press Pass a Disturbing Limitation on First Amendment Rights
"There is little obvious reason why the Iowa House might have denied Belin's press credential application, and it would be deeply concerning if their decision was motivated by wanting… More
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