Articles by PEN America
Hairy Bacon and digital censorship in China: an interview with author, microblog scholar Jason Q. Ng
Today, many people in China rush to popular microblogging services to gather information and express themselves. This unique medium is so prevalent and so heavily censored that it has become a field of study unto itself. PEN American Center sat down with author, editor, and microblog scholar Jason Q. Ng to find out more about this vibrant phenomenon.
U.S. senate must recognise mass surveillance is censorship
Leading American writers join PEN American Center in an open letter to the Senate leadership demanding National Security Administration reform on the premise that mass surveillance is censorship.
Demand the release of recently sentenced Al Jazeera staff
More than 100 groups and individuals worldwide call on Egyptian President el-Sisi to remove the unjust sentencing of three Al Jazeera journalists.
Keeping writers safe online: An interview with the Tor Project
The human rights community has known for some time that digital technologies can be used to surveil and persecute dissidents. PEN American Center interviewed the Executive Director of the Tor Project, to learn more about how Tor can help writers, Tor’s current work, and plans for the future.
Protecting freedom of expression for LGBT people
Making a statement during International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T).
Stand up for Ai Weiwei and freedom of expression in China
PEN is spreading awareness of repression in China with its #WithFlowers campaign. Ai Weiwei posts daily photographs of fresh flowers outside of his apartment every day he cannot travel freely; now everyone can as well, on behalf of all Chinese writes and artists.
Concern for Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s health on third anniversary of his arrest in Bahrain
Former president and co-founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was sentenced to life in prison in June 2011. He continues to be denied adequate medical attention and suffers from severe medical complications as a result of his mistreatment in detention.
Egyptian poet Omar Hazek imprisoned
Egyptian poet Omar Hazek, who has been held in custody since his arrest in early December 2013 for taking a part in a protest, was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2014.