PEN America Urges Syracuse University to Heed Students’ Concerns
“When hate is unleashed on campus, it is vital that university administrators respond swiftly and seriously, to ensure that all community members understand where the institution stands." More
University Requiring Journalists to Disclose Information About Sexual Misconduct Is Misguided
A policy requiring University of Illinois-affiliated journalists to disclose information about confidential reports of sexual violence or harassment is misguided and harmful. More
PEN America: Book Burning at Georgia College is Disturbing
"It is deeply disturbing to see a group of students engaged in this kind of conduct,” said Jonathan Friedman, director of the campus free speech project at PEN America. … More
Statement: Protesters Should Have Allowed Homeland Secretary Chief to Proceed with Talk
“Protests cross the line when they constitute a ‘heckler’s veto,’ preventing someone else’s speech and curtailing the rights of those who came to listen." More
PEN America Launches Go-To Digital Guide to Campus Free Speech
“Now more than ever, university leaders and students need a go-to resource to understand how to protect free speech and keep their communities open and thriving." More
Resignation of University of Alabama Dean Over Tweets Threatens Free Speech
“It is difficult to see Dr. Riley’s ‘resignation by mutual agreement’ as anything other than a punitive outcome occasioned by the content of his speech." More
Statement in Response to Report the FBI is Urging Universities to Monitor Chinese Students and Scholars
China’s government is notorious for its surveillance. Efforts by the U.S. to fend off autocracy must not mimic the very tactics it professes to reject. More
University of Florida Settles Free Speech Suit With Conservative Student Group
The recent settlement of a federal lawsuit against the University of Florida is a reminder that campuses must be thoughtful in maintaining content-neutral policies towards speech, PEN America said… More
Firing of Professor Over Novel Threatens Academic, Artistic Freedom
“We applaud Williams College for giving thoughtful attention to how to address issues of inclusion without impairing a climate for free expression and inquiry on campus,” said Jonathan Friedman,… More
PEN America Applauds “Well-Formulated” Guidelines on Campus Free Speech and Inclusion by Williams College
“We applaud Williams College for giving thoughtful attention to how to address issues of inclusion without impairing a climate for free expression and inquiry on campus,” said Jonathan Friedman,… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
An investigation by The Guardian reveals coordinated disinformation campaign on Facebook is driving over 1 million users to fake ads to stoke "Islamophobic hate for profit": https://bit.ly/368EpvO via @guardian.
Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed will not talk to the news media when he is in Oslo next week to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, drawing rare criticism from the award committee, which says a free and independent press is vital: https://bit.ly/2sNopko via @Reuters.