Cuba / Americas

  
Police officers are seen in Havana, Cuba, on March 18, 2016. Journalist Augusto César San Martín was recently detained, fined, and had his equipment confiscated in Havana. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

Cuban police detain journalist Augusto César San Martín, confiscate equipment and impose fines

On April 9, 2019, at around 7:00 a.m., authorities raided the Havana home of Augusto César San Martín, a reporter for the independent news website CubaNet and a member of the Association for Press Freedom, an organization that promotes press freedom in Cuba, according to CubaNet, news reports, and San Martín, who spoke with CPJ.

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President Miguel Díaz-Canel talks to the press in Havana on February 24 after voting in a referendum on a new constitution in Havana. Several critical news sites were blocked in Cuba on the date of the vote. (AP/Ramon Espinosa)

Critical news websites blocked during Cuba referendum vote

Miami, February 25, 2019– Cuban authorities should immediately ensure citizens have access to news websites, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Several critical news sites were blocked in the country yesterday, as Cuba held a national referendum on proposed changes to its constitution, news sites reported.

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Connecting Cuba

Outdated laws and limited, expensive internet access slow the island nation’s progress By Carlos Lauría Cuba’s media landscape has begun opening up in recent years, transformed by a lively blogosphere, an increasing number of news websites carrying investigative reporting and news commentary, and an innovative breed of independent reporters who are critical of, yet still…

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Independent Cuban journalist detained, accused of fomenting enemy propaganda

Independent Cuban journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro was arrested February 20, 2017 and detained for about 36 hours while traveling to cover a meeting between Cuban dissidents and the head of the Organization of American States (OAS), according to press reports. The editor of digital magazine La Hora de Cuba said police charged him with fomenting…

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Turkey’s crackdown propels number of journalists in jail worldwide to record high

At least 81 journalists are imprisoned in Turkey, all of them facing anti-state charges, in the wake of an unprecedented crackdown that has included the shuttering of more than 100 news outlets. The 259 journalists in jail worldwide is the highest number recorded since 1990. A CPJ special report by Elana Beiser

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Cuban journalists detained while covering hurricane damage

Cuban state security officers on October 11 briefly detained Elaine Díaz Rodríguez, one of Cuba’s most prominent independent journalists, along with five of her colleagues from Periodismo de Barrio (Neighborhood News) and two freelancers working with them, while the team attempted to report on storm damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in northeastern Cuba Periodismo de…

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Connecting Cuba: More space for criticism but restrictions slow press freedom progress

Cuba’s press, emboldened by President Raúl Castro’s call for reforms in 2010, are finding more space for critical comment, but harassment and intimidation from authorities, a legal limbo caused by outdated and restrictive press laws, and limited and expensive access to the internet is slowing the island nation’s progress toward press freedom. A CPJ special report.

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Connecting Cuba

About this report

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Connecting Cuba

Foreword: Contemplating a free press in Cuba By Ernesto Londoño A free press, at its best, is the conscience of a nation, an indispensable arbiter of truth and righteousness. When it is doing its job well, a free press unearths unpleasant truths, holds people in power accountable and champions marginalized communities.

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Connecting Cuba

Executive Summary: Cuba’s media vitally transformed but cautious approach is slowing progress By Carlos Lauría A lively blogosphere, an increasing number of news websites carrying investigative reporting and news commentary, and an innovative breed of independent reporters who are critical of, yet still support socialist ideas have vitally transformed Cuba’s media landscape in the past…

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