Arrest of Another Journalist in Egypt Casts Further Doubt Over Country’s Commitment to Free Expression
"The arrest of Karim Asaad and ongoing detention of Hisham Kassem once again spotlight Egypt’s dire record on freedom of expression and cast serious doubts on the government’s broader… More
Police Withdraw Search Warrant for Kansas Newspaper After “Unconscionable” Breach of Press Freedom
“The withdrawal of a search warrant against The Marion County Record and the return of seized devices after a raid by law enforcement is a first step toward accountability… More
Prison Sentence Imposed on Lebanese Journalist Underscores an Escalating Effort to Intimidate Journalists and Critics
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy lead at PEN America, said: “The verdict against Dima Sadek is deeply concerning, as it shows the escalating attacks… More
PEN America Calls for Release of Turkish Journalist Arrested Under Anti-Terrorism Laws for Airing an Opinion Critical of the Government
“PEN America stands in solidarity with Merdan Yanardağ and calls on Turkish authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally. Journalists and writers should be free to work and express… More
Years More Added to Journalist’s Prison Sentence in Algeria Shows Deepening Crackdown on Press Freedom
Justin Shilad, Middle East and North Africa Research and Advocacy lead at PEN America, said the increased sentence points to the “arbitrary nature of the charges and original sentence… More
PEN America Condemns “Egregious” Sentences Against Blogger and Journalists in Belarus
Since the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, internationally regarded as neither free nor fair, Lukashenka’s government has jailed journalists, writers, and other cultural figures on politically-motivated charges for expressing… More
PEN America Condemns Convictions of Asheville, NC Journalists Arrested for Filming Police Clearing of Encampment of Homeless People
(NEW YORK) – The arrests and convictions of two North Carolina journalists on trespassing charges for filming police as they cleared an encampment of homeless people sets a “dangerous… More
PEN America, in Partnership with Bard College, Establishes Digital Archive to Preserve Independent Reporting by Russian Journalists During Vladimir Putin’s Rule
“Accountability and accurate narrative depend on reliable witnesses who stand against propaganda efforts to reinterpret the past. Brave, determined independent journalists have worked under tremendous constraints on press freedom… More
PEN America Calls on Twitter to Remove “State-affiliated Media” Designation from NPR’s Twitter Account
“Twitter defines state-affiliated media as ‘outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.’ That… More
Sharp Criticism of Decision Designating Journalists Group in Belarus “Extremist”
The designation underscores the Belarusian authorities’ escalating attacks on independent journalism and free expression since Aleksander Lukashenka’s 2020 reelection, internationally regarded as “fraudulent.” More