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.
Infrigement on Academic Freedom, as Dean Threatens to Punish Professor in Georgia Over Parent’s Complaint About Biology Lecture
Jeremy C. Young, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, said in a statement:“Dean Cornely’s response to this controversy is outrageous. Jones is clearly acting within… More
First-of-its-Kind Field Manual in Arabic Supports Journalists and Human Rights Activists Against Online Harassment
“Online abuse is a deliberate attempt to stifle press freedom and creative expression. As an organization of and for writers, PEN America is committed to working with our partners… More
Iran Steps Up Repression of Rights, with Harsh Prison Sentences for Writers and Artists and Reported Torture and Abuse in Custody
“The Iranian government is putting writers’ lives at severe risk through its brazen violation of basic human rights that include systematic abuse and torture in custody, coupled with fast-tracked… More
PEN America Urges NO Vote By Greenville, S.C. County Council on Vaguely-Worded Resolution to Censor Childrens’ Books in Libraries
Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, made the following comments: “If passed, this resolution would be an exercise in censorship--ordering the Greenville County Library System… More
PEN America Presents “Censored: Free Speech and Hollywood” Nov. 16 at Central Los Angeles Public Library
By reviewing legislation and court decisions, exploring blacklisted artists, and the opening up of representation in the late 20th century, the discussion will explore controversies around representing some themes… More
PEN America Rejects Calls to Cancel New Book by Justice Amy Coney Barrett
"It is the role of major publishers to make available a wide array of ideas and perspectives. In so doing, they afford readers, critics, historians, and journalists insight that… More
PEN America Welcomes U.S. Government Sanctions on Iranian Group that Placed Bounty on Salman Rushdie’s Life
Nadine Farid Johnson, managing director of PEN America Washington and Free Expression Programs, said: “PEN America applauds the Treasury Department’s decision, which sends a powerful message to the Iranian… More
PEN America CEO: All Eyes on Elon Musk to Back Open and Civic Discourse on Twitter
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel has made the following comment today in response to the announcement that Elon Musk has completed a $44 billion deal to takeover Twitter: “All eyes… More
Blanket Ban on Indoor Protest at U of Florida Amounts to “Prior Restraint on Dissent”
"Of course, we hope that protesters will not shut down, shout down, or obstruct speech, but argument and protest have their place on campuses, even when they grow heated.… More
PEN America Welcomes Justice Department Ban on Seizure of Journalists’ Records
“Whether borne of concerns about national security or as a misuse of resources for political ends, the specter of criminal investigation casts a pall over the ability of journalists… More