The IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee monitors the freedom to publish situation around the world and manages the IPA’s prestigious freedom to publish prize, the Prix Voltaire, and the newly created IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award. The call for nominations for the 2026 edition of both prizes will be issued in January 2026.
Sänger has been a member of the Freedom to Publish Committee for eight years, successfully securing re-election by the IPA General Assembly four times. Sänger also previously chaired the IPA’s Copyright Committee (2019-2024).
Kristenn Einarsson, the outgoing Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said: It has been an honour to chair this vital committee in IPA’s work and a pleasure to have worked with so many committed colleagues from other countries. I know the Committee is in good hands as we face mounting threats to the freedom to publish.
Jessica Sänger, Director for European and International Affairs at Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German publishers and booksellers association) said: Kristenn led the IPA’s freedom to publish committee with courage and integrity and I will endeavour to bring those same qualities as chair. The freedom to publish challenges across many IPA members are increasing but the Prix Voltaire shows us every year that there are brave publishers out there, fighting for the freedom of expression of their authors.
From 1 January 2026, Jacob Søndergaard (Gutkind, Denmark) joined the nine-strong Committee whose members are:
- Zeynep Atiker, Turkish Publishers Association (Turkey)
- Sherif Bakr, Al Arabi Publishing and Distributing (Egypt)
- Roberto Banchik, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (Mexico)
- Simon de Jocas, 400 Coups (Canada)
- Jaeho Kang, Seoul National University (Korea)
- John McKay, AAP (USA)
- Jessica Sänger, Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Germany)
- Jacob Søndergaard, Gutkind (Denmark)
- Yoshiaki Yoshino, Japan Book Publishers Association (Japan)