Censorship efforts have surged dramatically, with nearly 12,000 books removed from libraries and schools over the past year—marking the largest single-year increase in recorded history, according to a new report. Political pressure and the rise of AI-driven challenges are cited as key drivers behind the spike, as advocates warn about growing restrictions on literary access. The report highlights a sharp escalation in attempts to suppress certain titles, raising concerns over free expression in public institutions. Experts are calling for urgent action to address the trend before it deepens further.
Book bans reached an all-time high this year as political pressure and AI fuel a spike in titles taken off the shelves. Almost 12,000 books were banned between 2025 and 2026, a 5,000-book jump from the previous year, according to a Monday report by PEN America, a free-speech organization. The vast majority of the book bans...
