PEN Canada
@pencanada.bsky.social
We defend free expression, aid writers in peril, and celebrate literature.
pencanada.ca
pencanada.ca
In her speech last month, Mohyeddin reflected on the work of journalism, calling it "an act of restoration — restoring dignity, restoring context, restoring the complexity that so often gets stripped away."
buff.ly/doUNORz
buff.ly/doUNORz
Samira Mohyeddin's Ken Filkow Prize speech - PEN Canada
Journalist and broadcaster, Samira Mohyeddin received the Ken Filkow Prize at a public ceremony in Toronto.
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In her speech last month, Mohyeddin reflected on the work of journalism, calling it "an act of restoration — restoring dignity, restoring context, restoring the complexity that so often gets stripped away."
buff.ly/doUNORz
buff.ly/doUNORz
The Ken Filkow Prize recognizes those who have advanced freedom of expression in Canada, and shown courage in freeing information and ideas from restraint or interference.
Previous recipients have included Brandi Morin, Tim Bousquet, Justin Brake, and Desmond Cole.
Previous recipients have included Brandi Morin, Tim Bousquet, Justin Brake, and Desmond Cole.
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The Ken Filkow Prize recognizes those who have advanced freedom of expression in Canada, and shown courage in freeing information and ideas from restraint or interference.
Previous recipients have included Brandi Morin, Tim Bousquet, Justin Brake, and Desmond Cole.
Previous recipients have included Brandi Morin, Tim Bousquet, Justin Brake, and Desmond Cole.
Lai has endured more than 1,800 days of solitary confinement since his arrest, and has served multiple sentences for peaceful dissent including a 13-month sentence for attending a 2020 vigil in memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
December 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Lai has endured more than 1,800 days of solitary confinement since his arrest, and has served multiple sentences for peaceful dissent including a 13-month sentence for attending a 2020 vigil in memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
“We urge the Canadian government to seek justice in this case," Wells continues, “and to do whatever it can to secure Mr. Lai’s immediate and unconditional release.”
More: buff.ly/9kHgWBi
More: buff.ly/9kHgWBi
December 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
“We urge the Canadian government to seek justice in this case," Wells continues, “and to do whatever it can to secure Mr. Lai’s immediate and unconditional release.”
More: buff.ly/9kHgWBi
More: buff.ly/9kHgWBi
“By criminalizing Mr. Lai’s peaceful resistance to repressive legal measures, Hong Kong’s authorities undermine any claim to respecting press freedom or tolerating freedom of expression,” said Ira Wells president of PEN Canada.
December 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
“By criminalizing Mr. Lai’s peaceful resistance to repressive legal measures, Hong Kong’s authorities undermine any claim to respecting press freedom or tolerating freedom of expression,” said Ira Wells president of PEN Canada.
Lai, who recently turned 78, now faces spending the remainder of his life behind bars, with sentencing due to take place in 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Lai, who recently turned 78, now faces spending the remainder of his life behind bars, with sentencing due to take place in 2026.
the intervention of the Canadian government, journalists, and #writers towards securing the release of these jailed journalists.
Learn more about the prize and Diary on our website: buff.ly/nKlSEj4
Learn more about the prize and Diary on our website: buff.ly/nKlSEj4
Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize - PEN Canada
This prize recognizes aid and assistance given to a writer outside Canada who has faced threats, violence, harassment, or imprisonment.
buff.ly
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
the intervention of the Canadian government, journalists, and #writers towards securing the release of these jailed journalists.
Learn more about the prize and Diary on our website: buff.ly/nKlSEj4
Learn more about the prize and Diary on our website: buff.ly/nKlSEj4
to advocate for their release.
Diary’s indefatigable efforts have extended to fundraising in support of the families of the imprisoned journalists and their advocates; the mobilization of public awareness and support; offering safe houses to their relatives; and campaigns for ...
Diary’s indefatigable efforts have extended to fundraising in support of the families of the imprisoned journalists and their advocates; the mobilization of public awareness and support; offering safe houses to their relatives; and campaigns for ...
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
to advocate for their release.
Diary’s indefatigable efforts have extended to fundraising in support of the families of the imprisoned journalists and their advocates; the mobilization of public awareness and support; offering safe houses to their relatives; and campaigns for ...
Diary’s indefatigable efforts have extended to fundraising in support of the families of the imprisoned journalists and their advocates; the mobilization of public awareness and support; offering safe houses to their relatives; and campaigns for ...
the #Kurdish journalist, whose family and a close collaborator had faced personal threats.
In the last five years, Marif has meticulously documented the harsh conditions faced by #SherwanSherwani and four other imprisoned Kurdish reporters, collaborating with Kurdish and Canadian activists......
In the last five years, Marif has meticulously documented the harsh conditions faced by #SherwanSherwani and four other imprisoned Kurdish reporters, collaborating with Kurdish and Canadian activists......
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
the #Kurdish journalist, whose family and a close collaborator had faced personal threats.
In the last five years, Marif has meticulously documented the harsh conditions faced by #SherwanSherwani and four other imprisoned Kurdish reporters, collaborating with Kurdish and Canadian activists......
In the last five years, Marif has meticulously documented the harsh conditions faced by #SherwanSherwani and four other imprisoned Kurdish reporters, collaborating with Kurdish and Canadian activists......
In the coming weeks, we'll share more moments and speeches with you all, looking back on an incredible night.
December 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
In the coming weeks, we'll share more moments and speeches with you all, looking back on an incredible night.
We also thank the steadfast support of Cynthia Wine and Philip Slayton, a previous PEN Canada president, who fund the Ken Filkow and Marie-Ange Garrigue prizes.
This year, those prizes went to Samira Mohyeddin and Diary Marif.
This year, those prizes went to Samira Mohyeddin and Diary Marif.
December 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
We also thank the steadfast support of Cynthia Wine and Philip Slayton, a previous PEN Canada president, who fund the Ken Filkow and Marie-Ange Garrigue prizes.
This year, those prizes went to Samira Mohyeddin and Diary Marif.
This year, those prizes went to Samira Mohyeddin and Diary Marif.
The event was also made possible through support from the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and the Centre for Caribbean Studies.
December 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The event was also made possible through support from the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and the Centre for Caribbean Studies.