Press Releases
PEN America experts are available for interviews with the press. Please direct inquiries to Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor, Communications and Media, at [email protected].
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Saudi Women’s Rights Activists to Appear in Court
“After almost two years in detention, and lengthy and unexplained delays in the sham trial that began in March 2019, Loujain and her fellow activists will again appear in… More
China Detains Coronavirus Reporter
“Given China’s widespread censorship of stories about the coronavirus, PEN America is gravely concerned over the possibility that Chen has been arbitrarily detained and that authorities are using ‘quarantine’… More
Prominent Russian Journalist Attacked in Chechnya
“Time and again, Chechnya’s leaders and their enablers in Moscow have warned that journalists and human rights advocates exposing abuses in Chechnya would be subject to violence. And time… More
China’s Detention of Muslim Poet is Attempt to Silence Opposition
“While we don’t know what precisely triggered An Ran’s detention this time, it is patently obvious that he is being targeted yet again for his courage in acting as… More
PEN America to Honor Patti Smith, Hearst’s Frank Bennack at 2020 PEN America Literary Gala
PEN America to present the 2020 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award to singer and performer Patti Smith. Hearst's Frank Bennack, Jr. is the 2020 Corporate Honoree. More
Ukrainian Journalist Mykola Semena Released From House Arrest
"It is deeply gratifying that Mykola has not only been released from house arrest but also cleared of the spurious charges he faced." More
PEN America Launches Free Speech 2020
(New York, NY) – Today PEN America launches Free Speech 2020, a yearlong initiative to mobilize writers and readers to elevate free speech issues and defend free expression throughout… More
Proposed Travel Ban Expansion Reprehensible Blow to Free Flow of Ideas
(New York, NY) – The Trump administration's announcement Friday that it will expand its travel ban, placing new visa restrictions on individuals from six additional countries, is a reprehensible blow… More
PEN America Condemns Ongoing Harassment and Arrest of Cuban Artists
“Again and again, Jorge and Nancy have been arrested, threatened, and harassed relentlessly by Cuban authorities." More
PEN America Responds to ‘American Dirt’ Controversy
(New York, NY) – Following news that the publisher of American Dirt plans to cancel its book tour, PEN America issued the following statement: “We have been closely following the… More
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