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'Minecraft' Library Helps You Dodge News Media Censorship

There are a variety of ways to avoid censorship of the media, but it is becoming increasingly difficult as countries like Russia and China crack down on VPNs. Reporters Without Borders thinks it has the solution to these increasing challenges: make news available through a game that isn't often blocked. The team has collaborated with BlockWorks and MediaMonks on the Uncensored Library, a Minecraft map that contains articles from journalists and sites whose work is frequently removed from the game due to their unflattering facts. You'll find articles from murdered Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi (whose fiancee Hatice Cengiz has endorsed the project) as well as the activist-friendly Russian site Grani.ru and the Egyptian anti-corruption outlet Mada Masr, among others.
Fake It Till You Make It

You can also look up details for the current state of freedom of the press in 180 countries.


The library is a technological accomplishment in its own right. It resembles a huge neo-classical library, with huge book collections and country-specific wings. It isn't possible to tear the library apart but you can add more if you have the time and desire.


Reporters Without Borders believes that the Uncensored Library should have a high level of resilience. Anyone can download the required map, and Minecraft's nature allows it to host another server if an oppressive country attempts to shut it down. This wouldn't last forever, however. Countries with strict censorship laws aren't likely to think about prohibiting Minecraft in whole-heartedly -- this may be a temporary respite.


However, that's not the entire point. This is also a commentary on censorship, and a way to engage people who normally would not be thinking about such a difficult subject. If it can inspire a small number of Minecraft players to advocate for press freedom or pursue investigative journalism as a career the game will have fulfilled its purpose.