The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“We absolutely cannot let our guard down, and we’re in uncharted territory in terms of a president who is willing to flout the First Amendment.” More
Federal Authorities’ Conduct Against Protesters and Reporters in Portland “Gross Violations of the First Amendment”
“The actions unfolding in Portland are aimed not only at silencing dissent, but also silencing the reporters and journalists working to reveal what’s happening on the ground.” More
PEN America Signs Letter Condemning Federal Law Enforcement Targeting Protesters
"The peaceful exercise of one's First Amendment rights, on any side of the political spectrum should never be met with the government targeting them." More
Snatching of Protesters in Portland “Astonishing Act of Repression”
(New York, NY) — Federal law enforcement officers have been using unmarked vehicles and detaining demonstrators in the Portland area since mid-July. PEN America's Nora Benavidez, director of U.S.… More
PEN America Response to Report of Physical Assault Against Oregon Journalist During Protest
"Physical assaults on writers, bloggers, and journalists are unacceptable, full stop,” said Summer Lopez, Senior Director of PEN America’s Free Expression Programs. “It is critical to ensuring our right… More
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Meta's new prototype chatbot has told the BBC that the Mark Zuckerberg-led company "exploits people for money and he doesn't care. It needs to stop!"
Meta says the #AI chatbot can chat on "nearly any topic" but might produce rude or offensive answers. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62497674
UPDATE. Now being unbanned...
Following our outcry @PENamerica, the Alpine school district in UT will *no longer* be removing 52 books outright, but "temporarily restricting" them, so that parents can opt their kids into being allowed to read them if they so choose. #FReadom /1 https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1554209510134525952
The Vandegrift High School #BannedBookClub is one of many teen-led efforts nationwide.
“Teachers are afraid of losing their jobs,” @jonfreadom said. “Principals only have so much that they can do in the face of school boards. But students can protest. Students can speak out.”
