In a notable expansion of its offerings, the Uncensored Library has introduced a new room dedicated to the United States, alongside fresh content in the sections focused on Egypt, Belarus, Russia, and Iran. This virtual library, designed to circumvent censorship, provides a unique platform for accessing journalism that has been suppressed in various countries.
New Articles in the Egypt, Belarus, Russia, and Iran Rooms
The newly added USA room features a range of resources, including analyses of press freedom and the ongoing pressures exerted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on media companies. A striking political cartoon by Pulitzer Prize winner Ann Telnaes, which was rejected by the Washington Post, is also on display. This cartoon, depicting Jeff Bezos kneeling before Donald Trump, has ignited discussions about editorial independence within the publication.
Within the Uncensored Library, visitors can explore journalism from countries such as Egypt, Belarus, Brazil, Eritrea, Iran, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. The library’s innovative use of the Minecraft platform allows users in many regions, where independent news outlets are often blocked, to access these vital texts simply by logging into the game. Articles are available in both English and the authors’ native languages, ensuring a broader reach.
Among the newly added content, the Iran room now features a poignant article by journalist Elahe Mohammadi, who gained prominence for her coverage of the funeral of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who tragically died in the custody of the Iranian morality police. Mohammadi’s reporting led to her imprisonment, and her article detailing the harsh conditions of Evin Prison is now accessible to library visitors.
In the Egypt section, two new articles from the independent news site MadaMasr have been included. Since 2013, this outlet has bravely reported on corruption and security issues, resisting the intimidation tactics of the Sisi regime. However, since May 2017, MadaMasr has faced a blockade within Egypt, making its inclusion in the library all the more significant.
The Russia room has been enriched with over 20 articles from various exiled media outlets, showcasing the resilience of independent journalism despite stringent censorship by Russian authorities. These texts, curated with the assistance of the Russian Independent Media Archive, represent the collective efforts of around 150 independent Russian media outlets over the past 25 years.
Additionally, the Belarus section has welcomed six new articles by exiled journalists, including investigative reports on corruption and methods to circumvent EU sanctions. This room highlights the severe political repression in Belarus, featuring a detailed interview by Maryna Zolatava with Maryia Kalesnikava, a prominent opposition figure during the 2020 protests. The distribution of these articles poses a significant risk, as it can lead to severe legal repercussions in Belarus.
The Uncensored Library, built over three months by a dedicated team of 24 experts from Blockworks, serves as a vital resource for those seeking unfiltered information. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with insights into the state of press freedom across 180 countries. Since its inception in 2020, the library has attracted over one million visitors, with its “books” being read an impressive 10 million times.
For those interested in exploring this innovative resource further, more information about the Uncensored Library can be found at https://uncensoredlibrary.com/en.
