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.
Call for a Repeal of Article 301 in Turkey
In June 2005, following discussions about Turkey's possible ascension to the European Council, the Turkish government enacted a new penal code. Since its instatement over a year ago, the… More
Day of the Imprisoned Writer
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is marking the 26th Writers in Prison Day 2006 (November 15) with a campaign in defense of nearly 100 writers and… More
PEN alarmed at recent crackdown on writers in China
PEN American Center today expressed alarm about an apparent crackdown on dissident writers in China. Three writers, Zhang Jianhong, Yang Maodong, and Chen Shuqing, all members of Independent Chinese… More
PEN Statement on the Murder of Anna Politkovskaya in Russia
PEN is appalled by the news of the murder today, October 7, 2006, of renowned Russian journalist and author Anna Politkovskaya, who was found shot dead in an elevator… More
PEN delivers press freedom petition to Congress
PEN President Ron Chernow brought PEN’s concerns over surveillance and threats against the press to Washington last week, delivering PEN’s press freedom petition on Capitol Hill and opening a… More
Announcing the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction
Ron Chernow, president of PEN American Center, the nation’s pre-eminent association of literary writers and editors, has announced the establishment of the $10,000 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction.… More
United States Closes Door Again on Tariq Ramadan
The U.S. government has again blocked prominent Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan from visiting the United States, this time after being ordered by a Federal District Judge to act on… More
Author Elif Shafak Acquitted in Turkey
Author Elif Shafak was acquitted of charges of “insult” at a hearing held today in the Beyoglu Court of First Instance in Istanbul, bringing to a close one of… More
PEN sounds alarm on threats against press in the U.S.
Troubled by recent attacks on newspapers and reporters for breaking stories on controversial antiterrorism programs, more than 1,100 PEN Members and supporters have signed a petition expressing concern over… More
PEN announces new Festival director after worldwide search
PEN American Center, the 3,100-Member-strong association of writers, editors, and translators working to advance literature, defend free expression, and promote international literary fellowship, announced today that Caro Llewellyn of… More
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