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WASHINGTON - Changes in the relationship between the United States and Cuba may have resulted in a relaxation on travel and trade restrictions, but they have not diminished the censorship and media control on the island. Leadership of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which manages Radio and TV Martí, described the realities of the evolving Cuban media market to the Broadcasting Board of Governors at its meeting today in Washington, D.C.
"Human
rights are abused every day, access to information is limited and heavily
controlled, and all media is owned and operated by the state," explained Natalia
Crujeiras, Chief Content Officer for all the all the media platforms of the
Martís including Martinoticias.com. "Cuban officials dealing with the White
House may have changed the tone of the conversations, but the Castro discourse
and relentless media campaigns haven't budged on the island."
The
Martís are providing much needed reliable
journalism on multiple platforms. According to a recent survey, 20 percent of Cubans get their
news from Radio Martí. In the first three
months of 2015, Martinoticias.com received 1.7 million hits. The Martís' following has grown by 71% on Facebook and 23%
on Twitter.
"Cuba
is a country in transition," explained Carlos García-Pérez,
Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. "We have to think long-term. We may
not know where the chips are going to fall, and but we have to be ready to help
the Cuban citizens get the information they need to live healthy, successful
lives. And we are ready."
BBG
Chairman Shell agreed, adding, "Our work in Cuba is important, perhaps now more
than ever. Some may think our work there is done, but in many ways our work is
just beginning."
Noting
that Sunday is World Press Freedom Day, Shell acknowledged that
for press in Cuba and around the globe, their work is increasingly dangerous.
BBG journalists and contributors have faced a myriad of threats including having
family members jailed in China, being shot in Iraq,
jailed in Azerbaijan, and expelled from an conference in Panama.
Despite
these challenges, Shell explained, "We are committed to the pursuit of global
press freedom and upholding the principles of professional journalism across our
networks."
Prior
to the presentation by OCB, Shell expressed gratitude to departing Voice of
America Director David Ensor saying, "David has steered the VOA ship through
rocky waters and a rapidly changing media environment. It is a big loss for us,
and as one of the longest serving VOA Directors, he will be missed."
After
the meeting, Shell invited former BBG Chairman and current President and CEO of
the Aspen Institute Walter Isaacson to share insights on changes in the media
and political landscapes and how they impact the future of U.S. international
media.
"Everyone
in U.S. international media really deserves a heck of a lot of credit for being
so dedicated to this mission, believing that if we report the truth it will
benefit people around the world," Isaacson told the assembled journalists, staff
and leadership. "Being here today is my tiny way of saying how valuable your
mission is and how much I appreciate work that you are doing."
(VOA)
