PEN America

Incoming President Trump’s meritless legal threats against newsrooms and publishers demonstrate the mounting safety risks that journalists and media outlets are facing ahead of Inauguration Day. Amidst news that the U.S. has dropped 10 spots on the World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 55th, journalists are confronting escalating risks, including physical and legal threats, arrests, and online abuse. The Journalist Safety Urgent Care helpline is here to support the vital work of a free and independent press. If you’re a U.S.-based journalist or news outlet at risk for your work and need one-on-one safety support, email the helpline at [email protected] and include “SAFETY” in the subject line, and a safety expert will reach out to help. A collaboration between the Knight Election Hub, PEN America, leading safety advisors Jeje Mohamed, Yemile Bucay, Ramy Ghaly and a team of experienced safety organizations, the helpline provides one-on-one safety support for journalists, individualized needs and risk assessments, and safety consultations for news outlets on digital, physical, psychosocial, and legal concerns—from dealing with doxing, threats, and arrests to preparing for risky assignments.

Don't believe censorship is a curse? Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire — the book that inspired Wicked the musical and the movie — has been banned in 32 school districts. Help us break the spell at pen.org/action.

What are you reading right now? Are you looking for entertainment? Education? Escapism? Enlightenment? Tell us what you're reading, recommending or planning on giving this holiday season using the hashtag #WhatImReading Need some suggestions? Start here: https://lnkd.in/gvWgggNh

Congrats to PEN America grantee Conecta Arizona for being recognized as Community News Outlet of the Year by the Arizona Press Club!

This week marks 5 years since Vietnamese journalist and blogger Pham Chi Dung was imprisoned for advocating for human rights. Sentenced to 15 years in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the state,” Pham and his IJAVN colleagues, Le Huu Minh Tuan and Nguyen Tuong Thuy, remain behind bars for their commitment to independent journalism and exposing corruption. Pham and Le have made urgent medical requests in prison, which were denied. PEN America urges Vietnam to immediately release these journalists, provide urgent medical treatment, and release all others unjustly detained for their free expression. https://lnkd.in/gRywnEcH

PEN America has raised alarms around language in #Project2025 that could create a federal policy about what books are allowed in schools. Now, a Republican trifecta in Washington is raising concerns over the potential for national book ban legislation. https://lnkd.in/epY-vYAA

Pham Doan Trang took risks to write and publish uncensored books in Vietnam. In the words of her friend Trinh Huu Long, "She's a game changer... the kind of person who pushes the boundaries, who is expanding our sense of freedom.” Despite a permanent limp from a 2015 assault by Vietnamese security forces, she continued her work as a blogger, author, and journalist. Arrested in 2020, Trang was charged with “anti-state propaganda” and sentenced to 9 years in prison for her writings, embodying the fight for free expression. This week for the Day of the #ImprisonedWriter, we’re featuring the five honorees of the #FreedomToWrite Award who remain in prison: Pham Doan Trang, Vladyslav Yesypenko, Ilham Tohti, Xu Zhiyong, and Narges Mohammadi. Share this post to highlight Pham Doan Trang’s case. We urge the Vietnamese authorities to unconditionally release Pham Doan Trang and provide her access to medical treatment. You can take action by sending Trang a message of hope, encouragement, or solidarity. Post your message online with #WriteToTrang and email it to The Vietnamese Magazine at [email protected]. Read more from Trang’s friends, journalist Trinh Huu Long and lawyer Tran Quynh Vi, in conversation with Dinaw Mengestu, novelist and PEN America Vice President: https://lnkd.in/eDZsWJuZ

PEN America is deeply alarmed over House passage of a bill allowing the Treasury Secretary to revoke the tax-exempt status of any 501c3 by designating it as supporting terrorism. The bill could have far-reaching implications across the political spectrum. https://lnkd.in/gxe4yKCM

Join us virtually on December 12, 2024 at 8:00pm EST for an evening of poetry and community! Hear the four poets of the inaugural cohort of Poets Across Lines read the poems they created during the program. You don't want to miss this incredible evening of poetry and readings featuring emerging and established poets. Come center and celebrate community poets, their role and their work! Featuring selected poets Arlo Pate and Kevin L. Tarver in Birmingham, Kevin Sanchez and RuthAnn in Tucson, introductions and readings by program Mentors Erika Wade and Gabriel Dozal, and poems by Advisors Salaam Green and Ofelia Montelongo Free and open to the public with registration! The Zoom link will be provided the day of the event. This program is made possible with funding from the Poetry Foundation.

As Florida state universities & colleges cut ties with seven “countries of concern," PEN America Florida's Katie Blankenship calls it "a loss for students & faculty. Not only will it undermine research collaborations but cross-cultural education as well." https://lnkd.in/gNFAEvdV