PEN Protests the Suspension of Three SABC Senior Journalists
PEN strongly objects the suspension of three senior South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) journalists for covering a Right2Know protest, against the orders of the public broadcaster, outside the SABC… More
Concern in South Africa over British GCHQ’s Unlawful Interception of Communications
Reports, confirmed by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, that the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), a British intelligence and surveillance agency, intercepted the communications of human rights groups in South Africa… More
South African Draft Online Regulation Bill Poses Censorship Threat
A new proposed policy to regulate online content in South Africa is poised to return the country to a worrisome state of severely curtailed free expression parallel to the… More
Nadine Gordimer: A Life Well Lived (1923-2014)
Nadine Gordimer was a remarkable author activist who did as much as anyone to rouse the conscience of the world to the iniquities of apartheid in South Africa. More
In Remembrance of Anthony Fleischer, Tireless Champion of South African Literature
The President of South African PEN died last week. PEN American Center President Peter Godwin and South African writer Margie Orford share their warm memories. More
South African PEN Protests Firing of Newspaper Editor in Assault Upon Editorial Independence
Two days after Nelson Mandela's burial, South Africa faces an assault on press freedom that cuts against the late leader's unwavering belief in freedom of expression. More
Controversial South African Secrecy Bill Sent Back to Parliament
President Jacob Zuma's decision not to sign the Protection of State Information Bill is positive news for free expression in South Africa. More
Dispatch from South African PEN on Dropping of President’s Defamation Suits
South African PEN Vice President Ray Louw writes from Johannesburg about the impact of President Zuma's decision to drop his defamation lawsuits. More
South African President Drops Defamation Suits Against Zapiro and Media Outlets
In a victory for free expression, South African President Jacob Zuma has dropped 14 defamation lawsuits totaling R60 million against a famous cartoonist and various media outlets. More
South Africa: Nobel Laureates and PEN Battle for Free Expression
We’re excited that the UK-based Guardian has reported on the important free expression battles unfolding in South Africa, summarizing international condemnation of the country’s so-called Secrecy Bill at the United Nations.… More
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SCOTUS has agreed to hear #GonzalezVGoogle and #TwitterVTaamneh. Both cases concern whether tech companies could be held legally liable for what users post on their platforms, as well as for content that users see because of the platform’s algorithm. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/supreme-court-agrees-hear-cases-social-media-immunity-section-230_n_633b15efe4b02816452c84f6
Stacks! I got to speak in a library in WI today about book bans, and took a quick perusal of the shelves. So many titles from ban lists! Kind of shocking to think of all the libraries pulling these books all over the country. How do they fill the gaps? #FreeTheBooks #FReadom
While some states are trying to prohibit universities from teaching about the history of racism, @EddieRCole writes, "these attacks are not new and, like today, limitations placed on academic freedom have a history long rooted in racism." https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/10/03/limiting-academics-freedom-tell-truth-about-racism-is-not-new/