The Publishers Association had Difficulty Finding a Willing Winner of the Freedom to Publish Award

Discover the resilience of global publishers confronting political pressure. AAP recognizes those safeguarding freedom of expression in challenging global circumstances.

on Dec 20, 2023

The Publishers Association had Difficulty Finding a Willing Winner of the Freedom to Publish Award | Frontlist

Book publishers are under so much political pressure around the world that one trade association was unable to locate anyone ready to accept this year's International Freedom to Publish Award.

Book publishers are under so much political pressure around the world that one trade association couldn't locate anyone to accept its annual International Freedom to Publish Award.

Instead, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) is celebrating "all publishing houses in multiple countries and regions of the world that continued to publish" this year despite objections.

"This year, we heard from numerous publishers from various parts of the world who were grateful to be considered for recognition, but who also live in fear of the additional scrutiny, harassment, and danger that such an honour might bring," Terry Adams, chair of the AAP's Freedom to Publish Committee, said in a statement Tuesday.

"As a result, this year's award is for the many houses who quietly fight the battle for free expression under impossibly difficult circumstances."
The award was founded in 2002 by the Publishers Association to recognise publishing houses from outside the United States "who have demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression." Previous winners include South African, Guatemalan, and Bangladeshi publishers. The AAP recognised Editorial Dahbar in Venezuela last year.