How Book Bans and Campus Censorship are Jeopardizing Free Speech and Democracy

Jonathan Friedman, Ph.D., is the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America, where he oversees advocacy to safeguard the unhampered transmission of literature, education, and information. PEN America’s U.S. programs aim to counter government censorship; foster a robust culture for free expression in society writ large; build capacity among professionals and institutions that underpin inclusive democracy; and support and defend individual writers, artists, scholars, and journalists. An interdisciplinary scholar by training, Friedman has served as lead author on numerous PEN America reports. He frequently provides commentary to national media, publishes op-eds, and leads workshops on free expression for educational professionals.