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].
At a time of unprecedented attacks against the free press, PEN America Members are taking action. Join us today.
Federal Court Rules to Reinstate PEN America Member Brian Karem’s White House Press Pass
“The revocation of Brian's press pass by the White House was just the latest in a long line of unconstitutional attacks on the media for coverage that the president… More
Arrest of Hong Kong Activists “An Assault on Activism and Protest”
“This is not the justice system in action,” said PEN America’s Tager. “Rather, this is a crackdown against critical voices whose influence the Hong Kong—and Beijing—governments fear.” More
First Amendment Champion Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., Earns PEN America’s 2019 Distinguished Leadership Award
"When people with power come after you for something you've said, you want Ted Boutrous in your corner." More
PEN America Condemns Brutal Homophobic Attack on Belarusian Filmmaker
"Kolya was standing up against the very prejudices he seeks to portray in his film. PEN America condemns such blatant acts of hatred, and urges Belarus to take action… More
Burmese Filmmaker Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi Sentenced to One Year Hard Labor for Posts Critical of Military
“Imprisoning Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi, a prominent filmmaker and human rights advocate, for merely speaking his mind on a personal Facebook page demonstrates the growing lengths to which… More
Carmen Maria Machado, B.A. Van Sise, José Olivarez, and Jennie Capó Crucet to Lead PEN America LA-Based Series “PEN Presents”
PEN Presents celebrates the power of words to inform, entertain, stimulate, inspire, and foster a vital literary culture. More
Espionage Charges Against Writer Yang Hengjun “Patently Ridiculous”
“It is unclear whether Yang has been arrested because of his work as a blogger, or as a political bargaining chip with Australia. Either way, this charge of espionage… More
Two Years On, Free Expression Groups Hold Vigils for Slain Journalist Christopher Allen
“The PEN America family of writers and readers stands in solidarity with the family of Christopher Allen, and our allied organizations in Europe and America, in calling for a… More
Groundbreaking Director, Producer, and Activist Ava DuVernay to Receive Voice of Influence Award at PEN America 2019 LitFest Gala
(Beverly Hills, CA)—PEN America announced today that groundbreaking director, producer, and activist Ava DuVernay will receive the Voice of Influence Award at the organization’s 2019 LitFest Gala in Beverly Hills. She… More
Incoming Harvard Freshman Denied Visa Based on Friends’ Social Media Posts
“This is a move so perverse, so grotesque as to defy explanation. Preventing a 17-year-old with a scholarship to attend Harvard from entering the U.S. because his friends critiqued the… More