PRH Intellectual Freedom Taskforce Shortlisted for Inaugural Freedom of Expression Defenders Award
We’re thrilled to share that the Penguin Random House Intellectual Freedom Taskforce has been named to the International Publishers Association’s inaugural Freedom of Expression Defenders Award shortlist, which recognizes initiatives defending freedom of expression, freedom to publish, and the freedom to read across publishing, journalism, and archives.
Founded in May 2023 with CEO Nihar Malaviya’s sponsorship and led by Skip Dye, SVP, Institutional Markets and Digital Strategy, the Intellectual Freedom Taskforce brings together 25 colleagues from across PRH to address growing threats to intellectual freedom throughout the publishing landscape. The group’s work spans legal strategy, legislative engagement, public awareness, and author support, and includes initiatives such as the annual Banned Wagon, which brings banned books and resources to bookstores and libraries across the United States.
“It has been a real privilege for the Freedom to Publish Committee to consider the nominations for this new prize,” Jessica Sänger, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said. “We saw so many different ways of organising the defence of free expression – from private companies, to coalitions to associations. Above all, they showed that there is no reason to be defeatist in the face of the growing attacks on free expression. We can fight back and win.”
PRH joins four other shortlisted organizations: The Media Coalition (United States), Soviet Past Research Laboratory (Georgia), StraightForward Foundation / “Geradeaus” e.V (Germany), and the Turkish Journalists Association (Türkiye). The inaugural laureate will be announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany on Wednesday, October 7.
Warmest congratulations to our Intellectual Freedom Taskforce for the incredible work you do to protect the freedom to read! It’s an honor to see our colleagues’ courageous work and impact celebrated alongside these remarkable organizations.
If you’d like to learn more about the Freedom of Expression Defenders Awards, please visit the IPA’s website here.