Jonathan Friedman

Jonathan Friedman, Ph.D., serves as the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America, a position he assumed in 2018 after taking on the directorship of the newly formed Campus Free Speech Program. Friedman's tenure at PEN America has been characterized by his commitment to free expression, with a particular focus on issues related to banned books and educational censorship. In his role, Friedman tackles the impact of book banning on traditions of freedom and democracy, providing a critical perspective on legislative sessions affecting educational censorship.

Prior to his time at PEN America, Friedman was a 2019-2020 fellow of the University of California’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. This experience underscores his dedication to the exploration and protection of free speech rights. Beyond the scope of books and education, Friedman's work extends to broader effects of educational gag orders in higher education, offering commentary on academic freedom, artistic freedom, and press freedom.

In addition to his advocacy for free speech, Friedman is also deeply involved in initiatives against online harassment and digital safety issues. He has addressed concerns such as Zoombombing, contributing to the discourse on the intersection of technology and freedom of expression. With an MA and Ph.D. in international education from NYU, Friedman's expertise spans the complexities of free speech both within the educational sphere and in the world at large.