The Oct. 20 ruling only applies to the five schools attended by students in the lawsuit and is only in place as litigation continues.

A federal judge in the Eastern District Court of Virginia today ordered the Department of Defense to restore all books banned in five schools at U.S. military installations, a ruling PEN America called a victory for the freedom to read.

This week marks the annual Banned Books Week across the country, which celebrates free speech and rallies against censorship. The Hawaiʻi Library Association and American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii partnered to launch this year's celebration, which is themed “Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights".

In this blog, Robert French explores the limits of lawful expression, the role of universities in resisting intolerance, and why the scientific community must help uphold public debate.

This report offers a window into the complex and extensive climate of censorship between July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Recent events, including an executive order on flag burning and comments and actions from elected and appointed officials with respect to comic material on broadcast television, have raised the specter of First Amendment violations.

Debates over speech, censorship and free inquiry dominated headlines this week, the University of Arizona staged a counterpoint: a weekend gathering aimed at expanding, not restricting, conversation

Punishing speech after Kirk’s assassination doesn’t protect free expression — it erodes it.

The deadly shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has revived debate and conversation over free speech on college campuses.

The sixth annual College Free Speech Rankings show a continued decline in support for free speech among all students, but particularly conservatives.

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Legislature is considering a bill that librarians from across the state say will eliminate young adult and teenage sections from public libraries, calling it unnecessary and

PEN America, the writers and free expression group that has been at the forefront nationally of documenting spreading school book bans, today filed a legal brief  in an appeal by the state of Iowa to a federal judge’s ruling blocking enforcement of part of a 2023 law that led to the removal of thousands of books from the state’s schools that depict or even mention sexual activity.

The attacks on DEI and academic freedom show higher education needs to come together, build collaborations and stand firm. Here’s how

In this episode, Craig and Olivia chat with Cory Doctorow about tech monopolies and how authors and readers alike can divest from Amazon.

Has your favorite book been removed from local libraries? The restriction and removal of books in libraries and bookstores–including literary classics–have come front and center in the culture wars.

National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and guest experts from all sides of the debate convene for live conversations from Philadelphia ...

Only one library book ban case has ever been decided by the U.S. Supreme Court: Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico (1982). In 1975, the Island Trees school b…

Following his resignation in the wake of criticism for his social media posts, a former law professor discusses "cancel culture" and his proposed solutions to perceived "radicalism" in American higher education.;"A high-profile law professor who endured cancel culture firsthand discusses radicalism in American law schools"-- Provided by publisher.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on May 23 reversed a district court’s preliminary injunction and dismissed free speech claims in Little v. Llano County, a Texas case challenging the removal of 17 books from a public library.

This repository, compiled by legal scholar Tim Zick, catalogues the breadth of unprecedented actions taken by the Trump administration that disregard fundamental First Amendment principles.

Ed Martin sent a letter to the Wikimedia Foundation accusing it of spreading propaganda

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong vetoed a library content bill, calling it “a misguided attempt to legislate morality through overreach and censorship.”

A federal judge says Iowa for now cannot continue to enforce part of its book ban law. The decision Tuesday gives major publishers that sued the state their latest temporary reprieve.

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform

"This concise but comprehensive book engagingly lays out answers to myriad questions about free speech principles and current controversies, including those pertaining to hate speech, disinformation, and social media. Nadine Strossen, one of America's leading free speech scholars and advocates, focuses on modern First Amendment law, explaining the historic factors that propelled its evolution toward more speech protection -- in particular, the civil rights movement. She highlights the many cases in which robust speech-protective principles have aided advocates of racial justice and other human rights causes. The book also shows how these rulings reflect universal, timeless values that benefit everyone, regardless of identity or ideology. Correcting prevalent misunderstandings, the book explains that the First Amendment sensibly permits government to outlaw the speech that is the most dangerous, while outlawing the censorship that is the most dangerous. The book's lively question-and-answer format clearly and memorably presents free speech tenets, citing colorful episodes and eloquent language from landmark Supreme Court opinions. It will be illuminating to a wide range of readers, from those who know nothing about free speech law, to experts who seek a well-organized summary of major doctrines, as well as insights into their background and rationales." --

"Fearless Speech emphasizes the distinction between what speech a democratic society should protect and what speech a democratic society should promote. The First Amendment has been legally deployed most visibly and effectively to promote powerful antidemocratic interests: misogyny, racism, religious zealotry, and corporate self-interest, in other words, reckless speech. Franks argues we need to focus on fearless speech--speakers who have called out injustice and hold the powerful accountable"--

Proponents point to historic highs in book ban attempts, largely targeting people of color, women and LGBTQ+ communities. Opponents argue it should be up to the parents.

Georgia is considering a bill aimed at preventing children from accessing explicit library material. Opponents say it would chill free speech

The EveryLibrary Institute is collecting and analyzing polling and surveys about book bans, anti-access legislation, and the perception of libraries/librarians to help advocates quickly find and interpret results.