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.
First Amendment problems remain in wake of latest OFAC pronouncement
According to the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the Association of American University Presses (AAUP), and PEN American Center, a letter sent by the director of the Office of… More
PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award Recipients Announced
PEN American Center today named Nasser Zarafshan, a writer, translator and attorney serving a five year prison term for his criticism of the official investigation into the serial murders… More
PEN/Newman’s Own First Amendment Award recipient announced
PEN American Center has named Barbara Parsons Lane, one of eight incarcerated writers who were sued by the State of Connecticut after contributing to the acclaimed collection Couldn't Keep… More
Tony Kushner on Ruslan Sharipov and Human Rights in Uzbekistan
American democracy provides inspiration by example (rather than by military occupation) to people all over the world who are seeking justice and freedom. And it is important to note… More
PEN protests Treasury Department regulations that interfere with publishing
Dear Secretary Snow and Mr. Newcomb, We are writing on behalf of the 2,700 professional writers, editors, and translators who are members of PEN American Center to request an… More
Book, library groups launch Patriot Act petition campaign
Groups representing booksellers, librarians and writers today launched a nationwide effort to obtain one million signatures in support of legislation to amend Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. More
International PEN?s Mexico City Congress condemns attacks on writers worldwide
Attacks on writers and journalists around the world was central to the discussions at PEN´s 69th International Congress, held in Mexico City from November 22 to 27. More
PEN hails releases of Tunisian e-zine writer and Cuban journalist
PEN American Center hailed the release this week of Zouhair Yahyaoui, an Internet activist whose popular electronic magazine earned him a 2-year prison term in Tunisia. Yahyaoui was one… More
Bryant Park event reflects on the freedoms to write and read
PEN American Center, National Coalition Against Censorship and American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression sponsored this reading to reflect on the freedoms to write and read seventy years after… More
PEN sounds alarm over court appearance of Uzbek activist
PEN American Center is expressing serious alarm over reports that Uzbek journalist and human rights activist Ruslan Sharipov appeared at an appeal hearing today with suspicious facial injuries --… More