The US media and Latin America
AP PHOTO/JAVIER GALEANO/Miami Herald
A man talks on his mobile phone in Havana, Friday, March 28, 2008. New President Raul Castro’s government has authorized ordinary Cubans to obtain cellular telephones, a luxury previously reserved for those working for foreign firms or holding key posts in the communist-run state.
Every news program since yesterday has been touting ad nauseum the fact that regular Cubans have the permission of Raul Castro to buy cell phones and this is supposed to be some big sign that Cuba is suddenly an open society. Last week it was microwave ovens. It’s the silliest damn thing I’ve ever heard. It’s like George Bush giving every American the opportunity to buy an M1 tank – who can afford one?
Babalu Blog‘s Henry “Conductor” Gomez wonders why there’s so much coverage in the western press, but not a mention in the Cuban domestic media. Seems if it’s a big deal, Cubans would be dancing in the streets and the headline would be splashed across every newspaper in Cuba.
The Inter American Press Association is denouncing the way Latin American governments have stepped up attacks on their journalists, according to the Miami Herald. I just want to tell journalists in this country why there’s an increase in attacks on journalists in Latin America, in case they’re wondering – THEY’RE HOLDING CRIMINAL POLITICIANS’ FEET TO THE FIRE!!! They’re not advocating free health insurance for people who can afford to pay for it – they’re asking tough questions and demanding answers.
They’re not chasing after $4300 hookers, they’re not making up sex scandals where none exists. They’re not ruminating about the citizenship of presidential candidates and trying to redefine patriotism. They’re doing REAL work and they’re acting like a fourth branch of the people’s government – like they’re supposed to do.
Maybe American journalists should get their internships in a news room in Venezuela or Argentina so they’d have an idea of what criminal and corrupt behavior looks like.
Category: Media
