Jessica Sänger will succeed Norwegian publisher Kristenn Einarsson, who has stepped down as chair after eight years in the role.

By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief

The International Publishers Association has announced that Jessica Sänger, director for European and international affairs at Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, Germany, has been elected as the new chair of the International Publishers Association Freedom to Publish Committee. Sänger succeeds Norwegian publisher Kristenn Einarsson, who has stepped down after eight years leading the committee.

Sänger has been on the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee for eight years, and also previously chaired the IPA’s Copyright Committee from 2019-2024. The IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee monitors freedom to publish issues around the world and administers the Prix Voltaire, the IPA’s prestigious freedom to publish prize, and the newly created IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award.

“Kristenn led the IPA’s freedom to publish committee with courage and integrity and I will endeavor to bring those same qualities as chair,” Sänger said, in a release. “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.”

“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,” Einarsson said, in a statement. “I know the Committee is in good hands as we face mounting threats to the freedom to publish.”

In addition to Sänger’s appointment, the IPA also announced that Jacob Søndergaard (Gutkind, Denmark) has joined the Freedom to Publish Committee. Other members include: 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, Association of American Publishers (USA); and Yoshiaki Yoshino, Japan Book Publishers Association (Japan).