Nearly 12,000 books were banned in public schools during the 2025-2026 school year, according to PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans.

18 September 2026: Acclaimed writers from around the world have signed an open letter to President Isaias Afwerki, in support of PEN’s global Proof of Life campaign. Signatories include Nobel laureat...

Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.

Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and rebuilding her life is featured in the recent Australian Story episode, Time After Time.

Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.

Yorgen Fenech cleared on both charges he faced over 2017 killing of journalist that prompted global outrage

15 August 2026: Five years on from the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan’s writers, journalists and independent voices continue to face severe repression. As European governments consider closer ...

Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work when I joined a meeting of key PEN centres to discuss financial support for writers at risk.

‘The continued confiscation of Theepachelvan Piratheepan’s books is an act of censorship that strikes at the very heart of literary freedom. Writers must be free to write without fear that their work ...

Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.

Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.

A critical discussion on the crucial role whistleblowing plays to Australian democracy.

Born in Iran, the artist moved to France in her youth due to censorship in her homeland