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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PEN America Files Friend of the Court Brief in Michigan Right to Literacy Case
“The complete failure of the state of Michigan to ensure a basic standard of literacy for these students is not only an outrage, it is also unconstitutional. The freedom… More
Ten Years’ Imprisonment for Chinese Novelist Writing Gay Sex Scenes an Outrageous Violation of the Freedom to Write
“Ten years’ imprisonment for the ‘crime’ of writing and self-publishing a book that dares to describe homosexual sex is an obvious and unjustifiable infringement on the freedom to write… More
Judge’s Ruling on CNN’s Jim Acosta’s White House Press Credentials a Win for Press Freedom
"Major news outlets rightly stood together in defense of their essential role to cover the White House, hold the Administration accountable and inform the American public. Although this case… More
With Campaign to Discredit Critics with Falsehoods, Facebook Steps into Creating and Spreading Misinformation
"No longer a passive vessel for fraudulent information, Facebook has with these actions stepped into the role of creating and spreading fraudulent information and spreading conspiracy theories." More
Photographer Shahidul Alam Granted Bail, but Charges Must Be Dropped
“We are relieved that after 102 days in detention, Shahidul Alam has finally been granted bail. We now call on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure his prompt release, and for the charges… More
Imminent Deportation of Memphis Reporter Manuel Duran Ortega Deeply Distressing
"The message this deportation sends to reporters and activists who work with or report on undocumented members of their community, or who are themselves undocumented: to shut up, sit… More
CNN is Second to Sue White House to Vindicate Rights of Journalists Covering Trump
We applaud CNN for standing alongside PEN America and bringing their own suit to forcefully defend the rights of correspondent Jim Acosta. More
Removal of Art Exhibit at Mary Baldwin Represents a Failure to Stand Up for Free Expression
“Mary Baldwin's decision to host a listening session with students is the right idea; but they could have done so while also staunchly defending the artists' rights and the… More
L.A. City Council Resolution Calling for Cancellation of UCLA Conference Risks Infringing on Free Speech
“This means the officials involved are either uninformed about the protections afforded by the First Amendment, or they have simply chosen to ignore them. While there may be legitimate… More
White House’s Withdrawal of Jim Acosta’s Press Credentials Further Evidence of Reprisals that Violate the First Amendment
"In late October PEN America filed suit against President Donald Trump arguing that his threats and use of the machinery of government to exact reprisals against journalists and media… More