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.
House passes Freedom to Read Amendment
In a vote that sends a clear message to the Bush Administration that Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act needs to be amended to protect Americans' right to… More
PEN Calls for the Permanent Release from Prison of Journalist Akbar Ganji
Now that Ganji has been released from Evin Prison, we urge that his freedom from incarceration be made permanent and that he not be returned to prison next week.… More
International PEN statement on the recent events in Uzbekistan
International PEN, the world association of writers, is alarmed by recent days' events in Uzbekistan and calls for a lifting of the clamp down on the media reporting from… More
Writers Condemn Conviction of Poet, Two Other Reform Advocates In Saudi Arabia
PEN, the international writers’ organization dedicated to defending writers and freedom of expression around the world, reacted with shock to the announcement that Saudi poet Ali Al-Domaini has been… More
Verdict Imminent In Trial Testing Saudi Tolerance For Reform
With a verdict due in the next two weeks in the trial of three prominent intellectuals jailed for proposing democratic reforms in Saudi Arabia, PEN joined Saudi and international… More
World Press Freedom Day
To mark this year's May 3rd World Press Freedom Day, PEN is focusing on three cases of attacks on writers and journalists who use the internet. Details of each… More
PEN Centers join campaign to end murder of Mexican journalists
PEN Canada, PEN Québec, PEN American Center, and Danish PEN have joined forces with PEN Mexico and other Mexican media and free expression organizations More
Jailed Saudi author, murdered Gambian publisher to receive 2005 PEN Award
PEN American Center today named Ali Al-Domaini, a leading Saudi literary figure who is one of three prominent intellectuals currently imprisoned for criticizing the pace and reach of human… More
Turkish Publisher to Receive Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award
Abdullah Keskin, the courageous publisher of Avesta, has been selected as the 2005 recipient of the Jeri Laber International Freedom to Publish Award. He is being recognized for his… More
Librarian Who Fought FBI Search to Receive 2005 PEN/Newman’s Own Award
PEN American Center has named Joan Airoldi, a librarian and library director in rural Washington State who challenged an FBI effort to search patron records, as the recipient of… More