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'Minecraft' Library Helps You Dodge News Media Censorship

There are many ways to avoid censorship of the press but it's becoming more difficult as countries like China and Russia are cracking down on VPNs and similar tools. Reporters Without Borders believes it has the solution to the increasing problems: make the news available in a game that's rarely blocked. The group has collaborated with BlockWorks and MediaMonks on the Uncensored Library, a Minecraft map that features articles from journalists and sites that are often removed from the game due to their unflattering facts. 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) as well as others.



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



The library is a technical accomplishment in its own right. It resembles a giant neo-classical museum, complete with country-specific wings and massive collection of books. The library can't be disassembled but you can build on it when you have the time.



Reporters Without Borders believes the Uncensored Library should be relatively robust. Anyone can download the necessary map, and Minecraft's nature allows it to host another server if an oppressive government attempts to shut it down. We don't think this will be lasting forever, mind you. Countries that already have strict censorship laws aren't likely to think twice about bans on Minecraft completely This could be just a temporary reprieve.



Still, that's not entirely the idea behind it. This is also a satire on the issue of censorship and a means to engage people who normally would not be thinking about such a difficult subject. Servers If it can inspire a small number of Minecraft players to support freedom of the press or pursue investigative journalism as a profession, it will have accomplished its goal.


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