PEN America: Defending Free Expression in Literature and Beyond
- For The Writers | Official
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Founded in 1922, PEN America is one of the leading organizations in the United States dedicated to protecting freedom of expression, supporting literary culture, and defending the rights of writers, journalists, and artists around the world. With a membership that spans novelists, poets, screenwriters, essayists, editors, publishers, translators, and human rights defenders, PEN America occupies a unique space at the crossroads of literature, civil liberties, and political advocacy.
Part of a global network of over 100 PEN centers in more than 70 countries, PEN America’s mission is rooted in a belief that words matter and that the right to use them freely is essential to a functioning democracy.
PEN America's Legacy of Literary Advocacy
PEN America was initially established as the U.S. chapter of PEN International, an organization launched in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers. The acronym PEN stands for Poets, Essayists, and Novelists, though its membership and scope have since grown to include all literary professionals.
Throughout the 20th century, PEN America played a vital role in advocating for persecuted writers and defending the written word against censorship. It opposed McCarthy-era blacklists, defended Salman Rushdie during the Satanic Verses controversy, and has long monitored cases of imprisoned writers abroad.
While its work once centered mainly on international freedom of expression, today PEN America is deeply involved in both global and domestic issues, ranging from book bans in U.S. schools to digital surveillance in authoritarian regimes.
Key Focus Areas
Free Expression and Press Freedom
PEN America tracks and challenges threats to free speech in all its forms. This includes:
Fighting book bans and educational censorship in schools and libraries
Defending journalists and media outlets from legal and political intimidation
Opposing disinformation, surveillance, and state censorship around the world
Advocating for transparency and access to information as pillars of democratic culture
The organization issues in-depth reports on trends affecting freedom of speech, such as self-censorship in publishing, digital authoritarianism, and the criminalization of dissent.
Literary Programs and Awards
As a literary institution, PEN America is a powerful platform for storytelling, dialogue, and celebration of the written word. It organizes:
The PEN America Literary Awards, which recognize excellence in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translation, and drama
The World Voices Festival, an annual literary festival spotlighting writers from across the globe, often from regions underrepresented in Western publishing
Workshops, fellowships, and mentoring programs that support emerging voices, especially those from marginalized communities
Advocacy for Writers at Risk
PEN America maintains a Writers at Risk Database and regularly campaigns on behalf of writers who are imprisoned, persecuted, or silenced because of their work. It engages with governments, international human rights bodies, and the United Nations to pressure for the release and protection of literary figures worldwide.
This advocacy extends to high-profile cases and lesser-known writers alike, with the goal of preserving artistic freedom as a fundamental human right.
Campus and Community Engagement
Recognizing that freedom of expression is increasingly contested on college campuses and in cultural institutions, PEN America offers guidance, research, and dialogue initiatives aimed at:
Promoting free speech without sacrificing inclusivity
Navigating complex questions around hate speech, protest, and academic freedom
Encouraging civic discourse in increasingly polarized environments
Its PEN Across America initiative also brings programs and resources to communities across the U.S., helping local writers and readers defend their right to read and be heard.
Responding to the Rise in Book Bans
In recent years, PEN America has become a leading voice in the fight against book bans and educational gag orders in the United States. Through its "Banned in the USA" reports, the organization documents which titles are being pulled from schools and libraries, why, and by whom.
It has tracked a dramatic uptick in book challenges, particularly those targeting works by or about Black, LGBTQ+, and immigrant authors. PEN America not only exposes these trends but also offers legal support, public awareness campaigns, and coalition-building efforts to counter coordinated censorship.
A Global Voice for Creative Freedom
Internationally, PEN America works with writers and organizations in countries where free expression is under siege. From China and Iran to Turkey and Belarus, the organization has advocated for imprisoned journalists, protested against repressive laws, and provided emergency support to threatened artists and dissidents.
This global lens allows PEN America to link domestic challenges to a broader struggle for expression rights worldwide.
Leadership and Structure
PEN America is headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Its leadership includes renowned writers, legal scholars, and advocates, and its membership is open to anyone committed to its values, not just professional authors.
Its president and CEO, board members, and regional chapters help coordinate programming that reflects both literary excellence and civic responsibility.
The Freedom to Write is the Freedom to Think
PEN America’s work reminds us that free expression is both a legal principle and a cultural necessity. In defending the rights of writers, readers, and publishers, the organization advocates for the public’s right to ask questions, challenge power, and envision alternatives. Whether standing up against authoritarian censorship, resisting local book bans, or championing emerging voices in literature, PEN America remains a vital force in the global movement to protect creative freedom and intellectual liberty.
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