News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of April 26
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of April 15
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. More
Bike Locks and Tents: Journalists Investigated the ‘Outside Agitator’ Allegation in Real-Time as Police Raided Campuses
A popular disinformation tactic was gaining traction, blaming 'outside agitators' for unrest on campus. More
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of April 29
PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out. More
PEN America: Request by Columbia U President for NYPD to Remain on Campus Through May 17 is Alarming
"We are further disturbed by reports that press access to campus was limited during the arrests at Hamilton Hall and by allegations that student reporters were threatened with arrest.… More
Bill Intended to Combat Antisemitism Could Also Undermine Free Speech, Academic Freedom and Legitimate Political Discourse
Combating antisemitic speech and bigotry is an urgent imperative and one that PEN America seeks. In light of the significant rise in antisemitic incidents around the country, the goal… More
Growing Reports of Use of Force Against Student Protests Are Deeply Alarming
While campus leaders have a responsibility for the safety of all on campus, threatening arrest and deploying police against peaceful protesters is a severe and drastic measure that in… 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
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