Government and Media in Cuba Essay

In between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic sea lies the island of Cuba. It is a small island with a total land atomic number 18a of 110,860 satisfying km, yet it is so top executiveful enough to catch the attention of unite States and to strengthen its security measures. The country was first ruled by the Spanish g everywherenment and its history was attach by revolutions and uprising. Fin assort, in 1902, through the hinderance of the US government, Cuba achieved its indep fireence from the Spanish rule.However, the proclamation of license did not end the uprising and rebellious activities because the country was not starkd from leadership of corruption and military-rule. The palpable independence, as recognized and celebrated by Cubans, was achieved when Fidel Castro took office. Fidel Castro was the leader of rebel army that has been fighting the corrupt government and established a communist striving of government. At present, Cuba is to a lower place the rul e of Castro and the state remains to be a communist government having cardinal branches namely the chief of state, legislative and judiciary. prevalent Raul Castro currently holds the chief of state which is comprised of Council of State and Council of Ministers (The World Factbook). On the stinting aspect, the embargo that has been imposed upon the country has not yet been lifted. Currently, Venezuela is the main spouse of the country and the main source of its petroleum needs. The living standard a standardised remained low as a result of the embargo and discontinuance of abroad aids from some(prenominal) countries (The World Factbook). However, it has agricultural, trading, industrial and manufacturing enterprises where it sources away its economic and financial needs.As of July of the present year, the country is occupied by an estimate of 11,451,652 quite a little having different racial descent including Afri offers, Spanish, Westerns and Asians (The World Factbook). D espite changes that have been introduced in the country, there are still issues that have been b differenting the nation and even its citizens. by means of its communist form of government, many activities were hardly processd by the citizens because of government suppression. The to the highest degree suppressed and monitored activity is the bearion of ones thoughts and ideas.The right to persuade ones self is being curtailed by the government in particular when it contains ideas that are against the government. The role of media is to protect the government as it is raiseed only to piece out words that the government desires to hear. In contrary to the role compete by media in many countries, the Cuban media does not serve as the voice and protector of the citizenry from the government but as an ally of the state. The treatment of the media people is in like manner despicable in the eyes of the foreign community and of the journalists themselves.Hence, this paper will present the relationship of the media and government as well as the role it plays in the country. Concomitant to that is the life of journalists under the communist government of Cuba. Role of Media Media has been recognized as indispensable tool in communion. Mass media, as defined, is the technological means of sending development, ideas, opinion, etc. through the gage communication device to a diverse consultation (Impact of Media on Culture). Various means used by mass media in transmitting information effectively and swiftly includes television, radio, reports, magazines, and net.Notably, internet has been the most preferent and ideal means of mass media because of its ability of arriver a wider audience and is laxly monitored. In addition, internet is most preferred because it does not require profession to enable any individual to express his or her ideas. Among other nations, mass media is recognized as the fourth segment of the government because of the role it plays in the political and social aspect. The mass media usually fills in the gap between the government and the people.It voices out the sentiments or thoughts of the people to the government while it also brings to the people the sentiments and plans of the government for the country. In much or less instances, mass media becomes a watchdog against government abuses and activities that are definitely out of reason. Furthermore, mass media has continually become the source of information about things, persons, places, and events, among others. payable to the indispensable role of mass media in the society, it need to be free and not secureled by any person or agency nor can be regulated by the government.Instead, it should be free in enunciate to properly carry out its objective. Apart from that, it should not be cookled to command its impartiality and neutral role. Historical Background of Media in Cuba The epoch of mass media in Cuba can be traced back during the Spanish regime. The history also of the countrys press has undergone five occlusions (Browning). The Colonial occlusive which stated from 1723 to 1868 is recognized as the first period. During that period, the first newspaper entitled Gazeta de la Habana was released in 1782 and become the nations publication (Browning).In 1790, the newspaper was beed by the very first magazine entitled Papel Periodico de la Habana (Browning). twain were regulated by the Spanish government but enjoyed less obstacle because of the French Revolution affecting the government power of Spain over Cuba. The second period began in 1869 when Independence was first craved for and ended in 1902. The period is also called the Independence Revolution (Browning). During that period, press was given skilful immunity purposely to win the support of the repossessists.Eventually periodicals containing ideas about reform began to evolve which includes El Cubano Libre, Estrella Solitaria, El Mambi, and El Boletin de la Guerra (Browning). Notably, during the second period, more revolutionaries were inspired to fight for their independence through the influence of Jose Marti who writes in several newspapers such as Patria, La Nacion, and New York Sun (Browning). The second period was marked by sovereign exercise of look through publications that is direct, speedy and constant (Browning). The third period started when called the Republican period which started from 1902 and ended in 1930.The third period was ruled under the dictatorship of Gerardo Machado (Browning). During his era, freedom of mirror image was enjoyed by journalists. Newspapers, publications and other dailies thrived in the city of Cuba, Havana. This period was also marked by prosperity because political parties sponsored lots of publications and added to the benefit of the countrys economy. However, the exercise of the freedom was shaken by the plan of Machado to assimilate and fork out government subsidies in exchange for support in 1928 (Browning).The following long time was marked by economic downturn and political unrest that further led to the end of freedom enjoyed by the Cuban journalists. The fourth period started afterwards Machado was overthrown in 1930 until 1959 (Browning). For 29 years, Batista ruled the nation. During the reign of Batista, the freedom of expression was experiencing threat of extinction. Though, technological innovations in journalism were introduced in the country. Among these includes increased commercial sophistication and steam-powered printing presses (Browning).However, at the latter part of Batistas reign, the freedom of expression has finally faded because the government took control of the press. The twenty percent period started when Batista was overthrown by the communist group led by Castro in 1959 and continues at the present era (Browning). Since the beginning of Castro era, the freedom of expression was al rendery curtailed. Eventually, the press and med ia were finally controlled by the government and journalists were not given freedom to voice out their thoughts against the government. The governments strict control over media started in 1930.No independent journalists were freed to release publications which have the effect of criticizing the government. During that period, journalists tried to oppose the move of the government but to no avail. Finally, in 1990s through the introduction of Internet, independent journalists have found new average to castigate the governments control of information (Browning). However, the media, private and public, are still under the control of the government. Information dissemination is still anguish strict regulation. Independent journalists also continue to struggle and risk their lives for an independent journalism.It can be observed that since the evolution of media, the government already held control of it. The changes in phases under several governments have made media limited and res tricted. nearly of the actions that the government had done in curtailing free press and flow of information were censorship and closure of newspapers (Browning). Until now, the freedom of information remains evasive and independence of journalists is still obscure to be enjoyed. Current Status of Media in Cuba In Art. 53 of the 1976 Cuban constitution, freedom of press and expression have been explicitly stated.However, such freedom is subjected to limitations as contained in Art. 62 Art. 5, further, contains that all communication should be controlled by the Communist Party for the benefit of the country (Browning). As an effect, information was regulated and controlled by the government. Journalists were also restrained from publicizing without the fellowship of the state. Apart from that, journalists were arbitrarily imprisoned for exercising their freedom of expression. Mass media in Cuba is definitely not free. In the field of print media, the nation maintains three newspape rs which are fully regulated by the government.These nations newspapers are Granma, Juventud Rebelde and Trabajadores (Browning). Granma is the official publication of the Communist Party which was founded in 1965 (Browning). Juventud Rebelde usually contains the very(prenominal) youth-oriented stories covered in Granma but in simplified and summarized manner. The Trabajadores, on the other hand, is more politically inclined publication as it contains Marxist principles (Browning). Notably, Granmas circulation has widened in some other parts of the world through the power of internet.The website is called Digital Granma Internacional (Browning). It is also noteworthy that during the recognition of the press, the Union de Periodistas de Cuba (Union of Cuban Journalists) was founded in July 15, 1963 (Browning). It is a nongovernment organization which engages the membership of professional journalists in order to knead in distinguished media in the country. However, such organizatio n has already been controlled by the government and its constitution also dictates that editorial line of journalists must follow that of government.On this era of technological innovations, independent journalists found internet as a means of voicing out their cries and redress against the Cuban government. However, the control of the government in curtailing unwanted information has also reached the World across-the-board Web and several independent journalists have been imprisoned for such exercise of expression. It is noteworthy that 21 journalists have been recorded to have been imprisoned after a closed-door trial (Attacks on the Press in 2008). Among the journalists that suffered the mercilessness of the state is Yoani Sanchez, 33-year old blogger (Attacks on the Press in 2008).Sanchez, at first, found freedom through her blog called Generation Y which contained observations about hurricane devastation, politically motivated arrest, and food shortages (Attacks on the Press in 2008). Her blog has been read abroad but has also been made known by the government. Thereafter, her testimonial was confiscated and was not allowed to leave the country. Today, state authorities has started to regulate internet cafes to principal down individuals with the purpose of publishing dissent against the government through internet. other independent journalist that has experienced the governments cruelty is achiever Rolando Arroyo (Cuban Journalist in Second Week of hurt start). Arroyo, who writes in Union de Periodistas y Escritores de Cuba, was arrested during the fight for independence press in March 2003 (Cuban Journalist in Second Week of Hunger Strike). He caught the worlds attention when he took hurt strike for almost two weeks because of the maltreatment and indecent treatment of prisoners like him.