The Uncensored Library puts censored journalism inside Minecraft: visitors explore a virtual library and read articles in in-game books. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) created the project with Minecraft design collective BlockWorks, DDB Germany and Media.Monks. It opened in March 2020 as another way to reach reporting blocked in its country of origin—not a guarantee of access or safety everywhere.
How does The Uncensored Library work?
The library uses Minecraft as a setting for reading journalism. Visitors browse its rooms and open books containing articles; RSF’s launch account said the texts were available in English and in the articles’ original languages. Minecraft’s 2023 project article said journalists from selected countries contributed work, with country selection informed by active Minecraft communities and RSF’s Press Freedom Index.
On the open server, visitors could read the books but not alter them, according to RSF’s launch description. The project’s aim is to make censored reporting accessible through a widely played game. That should be understood as an alternate route to journalism, not proof that the server is reachable in every country or that using it defeats surveillance or censorship systems.
How to visit or download the library
RSF and Minecraft document two ways to explore it. Check the project’s current instructions before connecting or downloading: server availability, map files, game editions and device compatibility may change.
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- Visit online: In Minecraft, connect to the server address
visit.uncensoredlibrary.com, as listed in RSF’s project launch information. The server is the online route. - Explore locally: Download the world from the library website for local, offline exploration. Follow the live site’s download instructions and confirm that the file works with your Minecraft edition and version.
The official project materials do not establish a complete, current compatibility list for every device and game edition. Do not assume that a particular platform or version will work without checking the library’s current guidance. The documented access routes are for Minecraft; the sources do not say that the map itself requires a separate purchase.
Which countries and journalism are represented?
The collection has grown since its five-country launch. RSF’s March 11, 2026 update listed journalism from ten countries: Egypt, Belarus, Brazil, Eritrea, Iran, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and the United States. The update also described new material in Egypt, Belarus, Russia and Iran, including reporting by Iranian journalist Elahe Mohammadi and exiled Russian outlets.
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The timeline helps explain why older country counts differ:
- March 2020: RSF launched the library with sections associated with Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
- March 2021: RSF announced rooms for Belarus and Brazil.
- March 2023: RSF said the Iran room had opened and that the Russian news media room had expanded; it reported nine countries at that time.
- March 11, 2026: RSF announced the United States room and listed ten countries.
Country counts describe the project at a particular date, not a fixed inventory. Minecraft’s 2023 article described around 300 books across twelve wings; that is a dated snapshot, not a current count.
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How large is the project, and how many people have used it?
RSF’s 2020 launch account said the virtual library was built with more than 12.5 million blocks by 24 builders from 16 countries, over 250 hours of building time and a three-month build. RSF described its main dome as nearly 300 metres wide.
Published audience figures use different measures and dates, so they should not be treated as one continuous statistic:
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| Report date | Figure | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| March 2021 | More than 20 million players from 165 countries; over 300,000 downloads | RSF’s historical figures since the March 2020 launch, reported with its Belarus and Brazil expansion announcement. |
| March 2026 | Over one million visits and 10 million book reads | RSF’s reported cumulative visits and book reads since the library opened in 2020. |
Players, visits, downloads and book reads are different metrics; the figures cannot be added or compared as if they count the same activity. RSF also cited more than 145 million monthly active Minecraft players in its 2020 launch rationale. That is a historical figure, not a current player count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who created the library and what recognition has it received?
RSF operates the project. Its launch account credits BlockWorks with building the Minecraft environment and names DDB Germany and Media.Monks as collaborators. RSF reported that the project received a Peabody Award in the Immersive & Interactive category on May 9, 2023.
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What the library can—and cannot—promise
The project places reporting censored in its country of origin in a game environment where readers can browse it. Its practical reach still depends on access to Minecraft and the live server or a compatible downloaded world. RSF’s stated purpose does not establish that every person can connect, that the route bypasses all blocking, or that visiting is risk-free in every jurisdiction. Readers should consider their local circumstances before connecting.
Quick Recap
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