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.
Sentence of Journalist Mykola Semena Part of Campaign to Silence Dissent in Crimea
The show trial of journalist Mykola Semena on charges of separatism is an aberration of the norms of justice squarely aimed at silencing journalism in Crimea. More
Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Free Speech on College Campuses
We take issue with Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his cursory acknowledgment of serious concerns that have arisen on campus with respect to incidents of hate speech and hate crimes. More
Citing Threats of Violence, Guggenheim Removes Works from Upcoming Exhibition
NEW YORK—In response to the Guggenheim's decision to remove works from an upcoming exhibition, citing threats of violence, PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released the following statement: "While vigorous… More
Take a Stand—and a Knee—with NFL Athletes
The President is way out of bounds when he calls for athletes to be fired for acts of protected speech. More
Cancellation of “Free Speech Week” Events at UC Berkeley Not a Setback for Free Speech
From the start, the groups behind this planned conclave made clear their intent to showcase only a particular set of views, aimed to provoke outrage and bait those who… More
Arts Community Rallies Against Muslim Travel Ban
Thirty arts groups—including PEN America, the Sundance Institute, Americans for the Arts, and the Future of Music Coalition—have jointly filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to strike… More
Upholding Freedom of Speech and the Right to Peaceful Protest at UC Berkeley
Free speech movement leader Mario Savio would have been proud of his alma mater tonight. UC Berkeley wins great credit for enabling conservative commentator Ben Shapiro to speak, allowing… More
Forced Shutdown of News Outlets a Transparent Attempt to Control Pre-Election Conversation in Cambodia
Cambodia's efforts to shut down several news outlets represents a clear attempt to stifle a free press in advance of the country’s upcoming elections. More
Detention of Theater Director Kirill Serebrennikov Part of Campaign to Stifle Artistic Freedom in Russia
The detention of Kirill Serebrennikov is part of a concerted campaign to silence dissenting voices in the arts in Russia, PEN America said in a statement today. More
Sentencing of Pro-Democracy Activists Marks Low Point in Hong Kong’s Commitment to Free Speech
Sentencing of three Hong Kong democracy activists for their role in a 2014 protest represents a low point in Hong Kong’s commitment to freedom of speech. More
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