In its annual report, PEN America revealed that China remains the largest jailer of writers in 2024, followed by Iran, with Israel ranking fifth. The report highlights a growing risk to writers in the US amid an increasing global crackdown on free speech, which has started affecting nations previously known for their openness. The number of jailed writers worldwide has risen for the sixth consecutive year, reaching 375 in 2024, up from 339 in 2023, reflecting an alarming trend in the suppression of expression.