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.
PEN President Appiah Calls Sentencing of Liu Xiaobo a Mockery and a Scandal
PEN American Center President Kwame Anthony Appiah issued the following statement in response to the conviction of writer and fellow PEN member Liu Xiaobo, who was sentenced today by… More
World Awaits Verdict in Liu Xiaobo Trial
Writer Liu Xiaobo pleaded not guilty to subversion charges in a trial that lasted less than three hours this morning in Beijing. The trial was closed to the public… More
Liu Xiaobo Formally Indicted
PEN American Center denounced the formal indictment today in Beijing of renowned literary critic and PEN member Liu Xiaobo, calling the move “extremely troubling” and urging supporters and governments… More
PEN Renews Calls for Liu Xiaobo’s Release
Writers in the United States and China today renewed their appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of Liu Xiaobo, who was arrested one year ago and is facing… More
Book Groups Support Patriot Act Reform Bill in House
The Campaign for Reader Privacy today urged its supporters to contact members of the House of Representatives in support of a bill that would effectively ban the government from… More
PEN Calls on President Obama to Stand Up for Free Expression in China
On the eve of Barack Obama’s first state visit to China, PEN American Center has sent a letter urging the president to intervene on behalf of the more than… More
International PEN Elects New President
The International PEN Assembly of Delegates last week elected John Ralston Saul as International President. He will succeed Jirí Grušá, one of the most important Czech writers, who has… More
Book Groups Praise Reader Privacy Protections in House Patriot Act Bill
The Campaign for Reader Privacy today welcomed a new House bill that will restore important reader privacy protections that were eliminated eight years ago by the USA Patriot Act.… More
Writers Welcome Release of Maziar Bahari from Prison in Iran
Canadian-Iranian journalist and playwright Maziar Bahari was released from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on bail Saturday after spending nearly four months virtually incommunicado. PEN American Center continues to call… More
Book Groups Seek Meaningful Reader Privacy Protection
Groups representing librarians, booksellers, authors, and publishers, who have been working together for five years to restore the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the USA Patriot… More