Notes

'Minecraft' Library Helps You Dodge News Media Censorship

There are a myriad of ways to avoid censorship of the press however it's becoming increasingly difficult as countries like China and Russia are securing VPNs and similar tools. Reporters Without Borders thinks it has the answer to those increasing challenges: make news accessible in a way that's not often blocked. The team has worked 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. Editum Articles from Jamal Khashoggi, a murdered journalist from Saudi Arabia, Hatice Cengiz supports this project, Grani.ru, an activist-friendly Russian website, and Mada Masr (an Egyptian anti-corruption outlet) among others.



You can also view details about the current state of press freedom in 180 countries.



The library is a technological achievement in its own right. It's like a huge neoclassical library that has large book collections and wings that are specific to a particular country. You can't tear the library apart however, you can expand it when you have the time and the desire.



Reporters Without Borders believes that the Uncensored Library should have a high level of resilience. Anyone can download the necessary map, and Minecraft's nature makes it easy to host another server if an oppressive government tries to take one down. We wouldn't count on this lasting forever, mind you. Countries that already have strict restrictions on censorship aren't likely consider prohibiting Minecraft completely -- this may be just a temporary reprieve.



However, that's not the idea behind it. It's also a satire about censorship and a way for people to get involved in difficult subjects. If it can inspire a small number of Minecraft players to speak out for press freedom or pursue investigative reporting as a career, it will have accomplished its mission.


My Website: https://www.editum.org/