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The International Freedom to Publish Committee

Founded in 1975 by the Association of American Publishers (AAP), is one of the first groups in the world formed specifically to defend and broaden the freedom of the written word. Its goal is to promote the principles of free expression set out in Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. That goal is at the center of the committee's founding statement:

"Writing and publishing are the greatest peaceful means of educating the human race. Accordingly, the freedom of writers and publishers everywhere to express themselves as they wish...without fear or intimidation is a paramount concern of American publishers.The Committee is pledged to protect and promote the rights of publishers and authors around the world by every available means."

With these objective in mind, the committee:

  • Monitors free expression issues around the world and publishes reports on its findings;
  • Sends fact-finding missions to countries where free expression is under seige;
  • Offers moral support and practical assistance to threatened publishers and authors abroad;
  • Lobbies officials of oppressive governments on behalf of persecuted publishers and writers;
  • Lobbies U.S. government officials and representatives on behalf offree-expression;
  • Invites persecuted foreign writers and publishers to visit the United States;
  • Organizes exhibits and seminars in countries where freedom of expression is in jeopardy.

THE IFTP Committee

works closely with other rights groups, including PEN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. Its members are proud to have played a role in many human rights successes, including release from prison; the granting of visas and passports; the support of printingoperations; and the lifting of sanctions against writers, publishers, and their works.

IFTP Committee Members  

The IFTP Committee founding chair was Robert L. Bernstein, former President and CEO of Random House. Committee membership is made up of editors, publishers, and other representatives of firms which are members of the Association of American Publishers. Current members include representatives of Random House, Hearst Books International, Hyperion, Book-of-the-Month Club, Times Books, Scribner, Knopf, Bessie Books, HarperCollins, Reader's Digest, Henry Holt & Company, Bantam/Doubleday/Dell, Arcade, John Wiley & Sons, Harcourt Brace & Co, Columbia University Press, and Penguin Putnam.