English PEN — A UK Journalism-Adjacent Organisation UK JournoHub Recommends
English PEN is the UK centre of PEN International, the writers' and journalists' free-expression organisation. UK JournoHub highlights their work because imprisoned journalists and writers rely on international advocacy — and UK journalists are well placed to support it.
Their Writers at Risk programme, campaigns, and membership give journalists a direct, practical route to engage with global free expression advocacy, not just observe it from a distance.
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Why UK JournoHub Features English PEN
Every year, journalists and writers around the world are imprisoned, threatened, or killed for their work. English PEN, as the UK centre of PEN International, is one of the oldest and most established organisations campaigning on their behalf — combining casework, public campaigning, and international coordination through the wider PEN network.
UK journalists rarely face imprisonment for their reporting, but that protection is not universal, and it is not permanent. Engaging with organisations like English PEN — through membership, letter-writing campaigns, or simply following their casework — keeps that reality visible rather than abstract.
We feature English PEN because their Writers at Risk programme gives journalists a concrete, practical way to support colleagues facing persecution abroad, and because their broader mission around free expression connects directly to the professional interests of every working journalist.
What English PEN Does
English PEN is the UK centre of PEN International, a global network defending the freedom to write and to read. Their work is organised around advocacy for individual writers and journalists at risk, and broader campaigning for free expression.
Writers at Risk
Casework and advocacy supporting writers and journalists who face imprisonment, persecution, or threats because of their work, coordinated with the wider PEN International network.
Campaigns
Public campaigns raising awareness of imprisoned or threatened writers and journalists, including letter-writing actions supporters can take part in directly.
Membership
A membership programme for writers, journalists, and supporters of free expression, providing a route to actively support English PEN's advocacy work.
PEN Award for Writing in Translation
An awards programme recognising translated writing, reflecting English PEN's wider mission to support literature and expression across languages and borders.
Why Journalists and Editors Should Know About English PEN
English PEN's work has practical relevance to UK journalists in several ways:
- ›International colleague solidarity
Journalists reporting from or on countries with poor press freedom records can find their international colleagues facing imprisonment or worse. English PEN campaigns give UK journalists a concrete way to respond, beyond simply reporting on the situation.
- ›Understanding transnational threats
Writers and journalists based in the UK who report on authoritarian regimes can themselves face harassment or threats originating abroad. English PEN's casework provides context on how these threats operate and how affected individuals have sought support.
- ›Free expression as a shared professional interest
Free expression is the foundation UK journalism depends on. English PEN's campaigning work, even when focused on writers rather than journalists specifically, defends the same underlying principle that protects the profession as a whole.
- ›Cross-language and international journalism
Journalists working with translated sources, international wire copy, or cross-border investigations benefit from English PEN's broader engagement with literature and expression across languages.
How Journalists and Editors Can Engage with English PEN
Write to imprisoned journalists
Take part in English PEN letter-writing campaigns supporting imprisoned writers and journalists, a direct and practical form of solidarity.
Current campaigns→Become a member
Membership supports English PEN's ongoing advocacy work and connects you with a wider community of writers and journalists committed to free expression.
Membership→Follow the Writers at Risk programme
Stay informed about journalists and writers facing persecution worldwide and the casework English PEN is running on their behalf.
Writers at Risk→Explore the PEN Award for Writing in Translation
Journalists and editors working with translated material can follow this award programme to discover recognised work across languages.
PEN Award→Notable Areas of English PEN's Work
Imprisoned writers and journalists. Casework supporting individuals imprisoned for their writing or reporting is central to English PEN's mission, coordinated with the wider PEN International network of national centres.
Free expression campaigning. Beyond individual casework, English PEN campaigns on broader free expression issues, from restrictive legislation to platform-driven censorship concerns.
Literature across languages. Through the PEN Award for Writing in Translation and related programmes, English PEN supports the cross-border exchange of ideas that underpins both literature and international journalism.
English PEN Resources for Journalists
The resources below are published directly on the English PEN website. Follow the links for current detail.
Related Guides on UK JournoHub
Visit English PEN
Everything on this page is drawn from English PEN's own website. For campaigns, membership, and the Writers at Risk programme, go directly to englishpen.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is English PEN?
Is UK JournoHub partnered with English PEN?
Does English PEN regulate the press?
What is the Writers at Risk programme?
How can UK journalists engage with English PEN?
What is the PEN Award for Writing in Translation?
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