A televised debate about the role of the press in Cienfuegos highlighted what everyone knows but few speak of: journalists themselves acknowledge that censorship and fear of consequences shape their work, to the point of pausing live to avoid saying too much.
During the Impacto broadcast, aired on Thursday by the telecenter Perlavisión, local reporters discussed how much longer it will take for the media to meet the expectations of their audience.
In the midst of the conversation, journalist Boris Luis García Cuartero acknowledged that the Cuban press operates under walls of self-censorship and fear of reprisals.
García explained that, although part of the responsibility lies with the communicators themselves for having "conformed," the reality is that there is a constant "San Benito" that compels them to weigh every word.
"When one says and does not say what they should, it can have consequences", he noted, acknowledging that fear hinders the clarity of messages.
The most revealing moment came when the journalist Jorge Domínguez Morado, from Radio Ciudad del Mar, confronted him live about what he meant by “not saying what should be said.”
Then García paused, hesitated, and ultimately retracted his statement in front of the cameras. “You understood me”, he said, avoiding further elaboration to not "heat up the matter," thus confirming the constant pressure that official media face.
"We have walls in the media... you have probably heard many times: 'be careful with what you say,' 'watch out for the focus,' as if one were a third grader," asserted the communicator.
He added, “perhaps it's a lack of confidence in what one can do as a journalist, or also being cautious about certain positions, issues, interpretations and that’s where the clarity of the message lies. These are very complex times, and we have countless examples to show how much our information recipients need it, and unfortunately, it is not being provided.”
Far from opening a real debate about the press, the program displayed what is happening throughout Cuba: journalists monitored, conditioned, and treated "like third graders," forced to focus more on the permitted narrative than on the information that the public demands.
On March 14, the ruling Miguel Díaz-Canel declared that the revolutionary press in Cuba is "independent and free." This statement, made in the context of the celebration of Press Day in Cuba, was interpreted by many as a display of cynicism in light of the censorship and the state's absolute control over the media on the island.
Journalists working in official state media face a strict editorial line dictated from the offices of the Ideological Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. If at any point they decide to deviate from it, they become victims of constant reprisals, censorship, and harassment by State Security.
Furthermore, on May 28, Resolution 9/2025 came into effect with the aim of "regulating" national publication records, but in practice it grants authority to suspend or cancel without prior notice websites and media that contradict "socialist principles."
The regulation also establishes harsher penalties for those who publish after a cancellation, requires hosting providers to only work with officially registered sites, and demands oversight over funding sources, measures that directly exclude independent media.
Various international organizations have repeatedly denounced the lack of press freedom in Cuba. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have labeled the country as one of the most repressive in terms of information, where the government maintains a monopoly on the dissemination of news and criminalizes the practice of independent journalism.
Recently, the vice president of the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Francisco Rodríguez Cruz, defended the alleged "independence" of the state media.
The UPEC official assured that the press on the island does not respond to the political or economic interests of any faction, but rather its commitment is solely to "the people, to its community."
However, while the official discourse insists on presenting an image of informational transparency, the reality of the press in Cuba reflects the exact opposite.
Orlando Cruzata, director of the Lucas Awards, admitted in April that they resort to censorship as part of a "cultural policy", to prevent negative discussion about the "revolution."
"Of course, we are not going to allow anyone to speak ill of the revolution on television, that is part of our cultural policy, just as we must not denigrate women, homosexuals, or anyone with a different religious inclination," he said in an interview with the official portal Cubadebate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Censorship and Self-Censorship in Cuban Media
Why do Cuban journalists self-censor?
Cuban journalists self-censor out of fear of reprisals and censorship imposed by the socialist regime. This practice is common due to the rigidity of the editorial line dictated by the Communist Party, which forces communicators to carefully consider every word they say to avoid negative consequences in their professional and personal lives.
What does Resolution 9/2025 mean for the media in Cuba?
The Resolution 9/2025 allows the Cuban government to suspend or cancel websites and media without prior notice that contradict the "socialist principles." This regulation empowers the State to impose stricter measures against those who publish after a cancellation, excluding independent media and reinforcing state control over information.
How does censorship affect culture and entertainment in Cuba?
Censorship profoundly affects culture and entertainment in Cuba, limiting creativity and freedom of expression. Artists such as Osvaldo Doimeadiós have chosen to distance themselves from state television to avoid wasting time in an environment where political interference systematically obstructs freedom of expression. The cancellation of popular programs and the departure of comedians also reflect the cultural stagnation the country is experiencing.
What position does the Cuban government take regarding censorship in the media?
The Cuban government defends censorship as part of its "cultural policy", arguing that they will not allow negative remarks about the "revolution" on television. Despite claiming that the press is "independent and free," in practice there is absolute state control over the media, criminalizing the practice of independent journalism and severely restricting freedom of expression.
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