By Evelyn Lucado
Opinion Editor
As censorship and political hostility have become growing concerns for Americans, unorthodox methods of bypassing censorship are both beacons of hope and stark warnings.
The Uncensored Library, which opened to the public on March 12, 2020, is a project spearheaded by Reporters Without Borders. In an effort to circumvent government censorship of media and highlight the importance of free and independent journalism using one of the world’s most popular video games, Minecraft.
According to a press release from the Uncensored Library, “even where almost all media is blocked or controlled, the world’s most successful computer game is still accessible. Reporters Without Borders uses this loophole to bypass internet censorship to bring back the truth within Minecraft.”
Transcribing censored articles into in-game books, the Uncensored Librarys world map and online server allow young people growing up in a state of government censorship to access media they otherwise would not be aware of.
“Young people grow up without being able to form their own opinions. By using Minecraft, the world’s most popular computer game, as a medium, we give them access to independent information,” Managing Director of RFS Christian Mihr said in a press release.
Accessible through the online world server or the downloadable world map, the Library covers journalists from Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and more. While this concept might seem foreign, the issue of censorship is much closer to home than most Americans realize.
From banned books to lawsuits against media outlets, free access to information is under threat in America.
According to NPR, President Donald Trump has made threats of retribution to several news outlets, including threats to jail reporters who did not name confidential sources when covering stories he considers to have “national security implications.”
President Trump called for NBC to be “investigated for treason” over their coverage of the criminal charges he has faced, calling for major news outlets such as NBC and ABC to have their broadcasting licenses revoked.
As President Trump has taken office, the implications of these threats and promises made on the campaign trail concerning the freedom of the press are disconcerting, to say the least.
According to a survey conducted by the International Women’s Media Foundation, 36% of the surveyed journalists reported being threatened with or experiencing physical violence, and 33% reported online threats and digital violence.
The issue of censorship is not exclusive to journalists.
According to Pen American, there were 10,046 instances of recorded book bans across 29 states during the 2023-2024 school year, with many targeted books showcasing characters of color and themes surrounding the LGBTQ+ community.
By blocking access to diverse stories and media critical of the government and government officials, the central narrative of America and American history will become shaped by the ideology and political platform of the current administration.
The stories shared by journalists who have faced persecution for informing the public should serve as a warning to America: Don’t let it happen here.
Projects like the Uncensored Library and RFS are vital resources in the fight for access to independent journalism and a worldwide free press.
While America nowhere near faces the persecution of journalists and censorship seen in countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, or Iran, Americans can not take for granted their freedom of expression. All threats to this freedom, no matter how seemingly insignificant, must be taken seriously.
The unorthodox yet accessible methodology of the Uncensored Library Minecraft server attempts to bring the issues of free expression and censorship to the consciousness of young people living under oppressive government-controlled media.
Bringing awareness of censorship and free speech to young people across the globe is vital in securing their futures and freedoms, and allowing them to grow up in a society shaped by diverse and honest narratives of the collective human experience.
The Uncensored Library world map and server can be found free to access on their website.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Caption: The Uncensored Library uses the world popular video game Minecraft to avoid and circumvent censorship.