According to an investigation by the writers' association PEN, the coronavirus pandemic in particular has had a 'devastating' impact on freedom of opinion and expression in several countries. Among those most affected are authors, journalists and artists who have criticized official measures against the coronavirus. [...] The PEN Club points out that in many countries online platforms have been shut down. In addition, it lists several attacks in 2021. In Bangladesh and Venezuela, for example, journalists were imprisoned for allegedly spreading false news. [...] The writers' association documented repression and violence in Mexico, Bangladesh and Lebanon."
