Luis Alberto García Condemns State Media Silence on Cuban Protests

Prominent Cuban actor Luis Alberto García voiced his frustration on Sunday at the lack of coverage by state media regarding the recent wave of protests across the nation, challenging the credibility of the state-run information system.

"I hoped that at least yesterday, on Press Day, the 'press' wouldn't be so tightly controlled as usual," García remarked on his Facebook profile, highlighting the stark difference between official coverage and what was shared on social media platforms.

García noted that many Cubans became aware of the previous night's events through digital platforms, foreign media, or personal social media profiles, while national outlets remained silent on the matter.

The Disconnect in Cuban Media

The actor criticized the official media for focusing solely on historical events, institutional activities, or sports results, while ignoring current events that impact Cuban society.

"Ignoring an event because it is deemed undesirable or inappropriate doesn't magically erase it," he asserted. "It's not a world of zeros and ones. It's the history of right now."

Freedom of Expression: A Long-Awaited Right

In his reflection, García advocated for freedom of information and expression, arguing that these should have been achieved decades ago in Cuba, as they would enable open debate and enhance citizen participation.

He also questioned the political control over ideas and public narratives. "Ideas cannot be owned by a Ministry of Ideas," he stated. "When they talk about a battle of ideas, there is no such battle unless different ideas coexist and confront each other."

Official Media Under Scrutiny

García's statements come at a time when Cuba's leadership is reasserting the political role of state media. During a journalists' gathering on Saturday, coinciding with Cuban Press Day, Roberto Morales Ojeda, Organization Secretary of the Communist Party's Central Committee, endorsed the ideological function of official media and called for strengthening the state media system.

At the same meeting, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel described state media as a "trench" for defending the regime's narrative.

This official stance emerges amidst significant challenges for the state media system. In early March, the Communist Party's Political Bureau decided to sharply cut the circulation of print media due to shortages of paper, fuel, and financial resources.

The Struggles of Cuba's Media Landscape

As of March 2, national newspapers Granma and Juventud Rebelde began publishing only once a week, while provincial newspapers ceased physical circulation. Authorities have attempted to compensate for this reduction by promoting digital platforms of state media, though limited internet access and a lack of technology remain significant barriers for many citizens.

Meanwhile, Cuba's media model remains under the direct control of the Communist Party, which dictates editorial guidelines and the legal framework for journalism on the island. The Social Communication Law recognizes only state-affiliated and Communist Party media outlets, while independent journalism faces persecution, interrogations, equipment confiscations, and digital blockades.

Critics of Cuba's information system argue that state media fails to function as a counterpower or a space for public scrutiny, instead serving as a tool for advancing the regime's political project. This structure, according to various analyses of the island's media system, prioritizes the defense of the official narrative and limits journalists' editorial autonomy, leading to information silence, delayed crisis coverage, and a growing loss of credibility among the public.