PEN International and IPA among signatories of joint statement on freedom of expression

Five international organisations representing authors, publishers, booksellers and libraries have issued a joint statement on freedom of expression and the freedoms to read and publish, urging governments to ensure they are respected in law and in practice. 

The statement is being presented at London Book Fair on Thursday 14th March and will be at a number of international book sector events throughout the year. It is signed by PEN International, the International Publishers Association (IPA), the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the International Authors Forum (IAF) and International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA). 

Karine Pansa, president of the IPA, said: “It is so important that our book sector stands together. Publishers need authors who feel they can write freely and we need booksellers and libraries who can stand up for the books we publish and help them find readers.” 

Romana Cacchioli, PEN International executive director, added: “PEN International reaffirms its commitment to freedom of expression, publishing and reading. In societies where these liberties thrive, diverse voices can freely contribute to public discourse, fostering informed debate, critical thinking and civic engagement. Let us stand united in preserving these essential liberties, for they are the lifeblood of our democracies.” 

The statement, which is available to view in full here, says “true freedom to read means being able to choose from the broadest range of books sharing the widest range of ideas”. It added: “Unrestrained communication is essential to a free society and a creative culture but carries with it the responsibility to resist hate speech, deliberate falsehoods and distortion of facts. Authors, publishers, booksellers and libraries make an essential contribution to guaranteeing this freedom.” 

It said: “Subject to the limits set by international human rights law and standards, authors must have guaranteed freedom of expression” as it is through “their work we understand our societies, build empathy, overcome our prejudices and reflect on provocative ideas”. 

Booksellers and librarians “must be free to present the full range of works, across the ideological spectrum, to all” and “should not have that freedom constrained by governments or local authorities, individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes on the community at large, even when this is done in the name of the ‘community’ or of its majority”. 

It emphasises that for booksellers and librarians to present the broadest range of written works, “there must be the freedom to publish” and “publishers must be free to publish those works which they believe important, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or might even be considered offensive by some in particular groups”. 

The statement added: “It is the responsibility and mission of publishers, booksellers and librarians, through their professional judgement, to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing everyone with access to authors’ works. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not necessarily endorse every work they make available. While individual publishers and booksellers make their own editorial decisions and selections, access to writings should not be limited on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.” 

The statement warns “the risk of self-censorship due to social, political or economic pressures remains high, affecting every part of the chain from writer to reader” and stressed “society must create the environment for authors, publishers, booksellers and librarians to fulfil their missions freely”. 

It concludes: “We therefore call on governments and all other stakeholders to help protect, uphold and promote the three above freedoms – of expression, and to publish and read ‚ in law and in practice.” 

The organisations confirmed that the statement was being published against the background of book bans in different parts of the US. In June 2023, the American Booksellers Association, American Library Association, Association of American Publishers and Authors Guild issued a statement whereby they all joined in a re-publishing of a joint statement from 1953 on the Freedom to Read.