Russian Social Media Platform Threatens Free Expression
The acquisition of Russia’s most popular social network by a close ally of President Vladimir Putin puts another nail in the coffin for free expression in the country. More
Nobel Prize to Dmitry Muratov is a Sign that the World Should Unite to Confront Kremlin’s Foreign Agent Law
The Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov is an important step to acknowledge the crackdown on independent media by authoritarian regimes. More
As Putin and Lukashenko Meet, Russia’s Role in Fueling Belarus Crackdown Can’t Be Overlooked
Do visa restrictions really matter to Alexander Lukashenko and his closest circle? And if not, then what is important to them? More
The PEN Pod: On Myanmar, Russia, and Impeachment with Suzanne Nossel
“This question of what the story is—that is told in the halls of the Capitol, that is reported in our media. . . could be very consequential not just… More
With Russia Back in the Council of Europe, It’s Time for Some Tough Love
Can PACE actually push Russia in the right direction, now that it has "forgiven" this errant actor? Or has it lost whatever leverage it had in the process? More
DARE: Trump vows ‘severe punishment’ if Saudis killed Jamal Khashoggi
President Trump now says there will be “severe punishment” if Saudi Arabia is found to have murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. More
His Fight Is Not In Vain: A Timeline of Recent Efforts to Free Oleg Sentsov
Oleg Sentsov has put his life on the line to defend free expression; we will do everything in our power to ensure his fight is not in vain. More
DARE: ‘Fake News’ Goes Global as Trump, in Britain, Rips the Press
President Trump takes his attacks on the democratic institution of a free press abroad, yet again branding much of the U.S. news media as the "enemy of the people"… More
Leading Human Rights Figures and Artists Call for President Trump to Discuss Russian Political Prisoners During Meeting with Putin
A list of leading figures in human rights, filmmaking, and the arts issued an open letter urging President Trump to raise Sentsov's case and that of all political prisoners… More
DARE: Twitter is Sweeping Out Fake Accounts, Suspending More than Seventy Million in Two Months
Twitter significantly escalates suspension of fake and suspicious accounts. News organizations debate rationale for broadcasting live Trump rallies. More
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PEN America On 
Moscow, Idaho: "University employees who are found to violate (#Idaho's) new gag rule, either by 'promoting' abortion, or by dispensing contraception, risk felony convictions, prison time, fines, firing and permanent bans from all state employment." https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/03/university-of-idaho-abortion-emergency-contraception
Great piece by @MBourjaily @educationweek on how teachers who can speak up, should speak up. References our America's Censored Classrooms report @PENamerica. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-some-politicians-count-on-teachers-staying-silent-we-cant-afford-to/2022/10
A milestone today in US free speech & LGBTQ history. 👇 "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg ruled not obscene and effectively un-banned. The poem in full: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49303/howl https://twitter.com/Ginsbergpoem/status/1576948354218885120