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 America Cancels 2024 World Voices Festival
“The idea that only those who adhere to a particular ideology or worldview are worthy of engagement is inimical to the spirit of PEN America and World Voices,” said… More
Iranian Dissident Rapper Toomaj Salehi Sentenced to Death
(NEW YORK) – Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), PEN America, and Index on Censorship strongly condemn the death sentence imposed on Iranian rapper and human rights defender Toomaj Salehi… More
Statement by PEN America on Campus Protests
As campuses continue to see growing student mobilization, we call on campus administrators to uphold their obligations to safeguard peaceful protest and free expression; protect students from harassment and… More
Iranian Cartoonist Detained for Trying to Post a Cartoon on a Wall Next to Presidential Palace
We are outraged by the violence deployed by Iranian authorities against Atena Farghadani, whose work upholds human rights, democratic values, and free expression. More
PEN America Statement Regarding the 2024 Literary Awards Ceremony and Conferral of Annual Prizes
“We greatly respect that writers have followed their consciences, whether they chose to remain as nominees in their respective categories or not,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf. “We regret that… More
Legal Filing by PEN America Urges Appeals Court to Uphold Injunction Against Iowa’s Book Ban Law
Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office, said: “Under the guise of protecting children from so-called age-inappropriate content, laws like SF496 are a smokescreen for censorship of constitutionally-protected… More
PEN America Lauds Resolution in Congress Marking April as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month”
“Throughout our nation’s history, local news has been a bulwark for holding power to account and advancing a pluralistic democracy that represents and includes all, irrespective of their background… More
Response to Prism Reports Article Raising Concern Over Cash Prize Money Delays for Prize-Winning Incarcerated Writers
As a long-term course correction, PJW has already created an internal audit system to double check to ensure all payments that go out each month are received by the… More
PEN America: USC Decision to Cancel Valedictorian’s Graduation Speech Amounts to “Heckler’s Veto”
PEN America’s Kristen Shahverdian, program director for Campus Free Speech, said: “This amounts to a heckler’s veto – this student should have been given the opportunity to give the… More
New Report Finds Unprecedented Surge in School Books Bans
“Students are at the epicenter of the book banning movement, and they’re fearlessly spearheading the fight against this insidious encroachment into what they can read and learn across the… More
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