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The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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PAPER The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Mass Media Developments - Cuba

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The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Mass Media Developments - Cuba
Additional Information and Commentary - Please contact the student identified for a full copy of their paper.


By Rex Jackman
International Student of Ohio University
July 1999
rj329692@oak.cats.ohiou.edu


23. Revolution Without Change, Perspectives on the Use of the Mass Media and Development in Cuba

The Republic of Cuba presents a unique situation in the world today. In February of 1999, after the death of Jordan's King Hussein, Fidel Castro became the longest sitting ruler in the world today. Cuba is one of the last authoritarian communist countries, and it is situated just ninety miles from U.S. soil. It is the subject of the last strong remnant of the Cold War. The mass media are tightly controlled in Cuba, and most of the data generated about Cuba outside the country are heavily biased either against Fidel Castro and his communist regime, or occasionally supporting it. This situation presented a unique research challenge.

This paper sought to examine the policies of the Cuban government regarding control of information and development. It looks at the accomplishments of the Cuban government in the areas of education and healthcare, and asks the question, "How valid is development when it takes place in a society where people are not free to express themselves or explore political options?" The paper does not try to find one clear answer to the question. Rather it explores different perspectives on the issue, and tries to find some rationale for explaining the vast schism that exists between the interpretations of different observers of the situation.

Because of the obvious limitations in the area of quantitative data on this subject, and the focus on reconciling diverse perspectives, the paper is centered around a qualitative, rather than quantitative method of analysis. It first examines the history of Cuba and the tradition of control of the mass media to serve the ruling party. It then explains the Castro government's policies and their roll in the context of the Marxist-Leninist theory of government. It shows how the media are inexorably tied to education and political mobilization (propaganda) in Cuba, with an overall goal of achieving social equity. I made use of various sources, including interviews with Cubans who are in support of, and against the present regime.

I concluded that the picture of "reality" in Cuba is colored largely by the perspective of the source, and that it is difficult to ascertain the veracity of information on Cuba. The ideological gap between capitalist and communist ways of looking at the world is vast. While it is certain that Cuba has made great strides towards achieving many of its development goals, the validity of social progress achieved under authoritarian rule will always be in question by observers from democratic nations. What is agreed upon is the effectiveness of the use of control of the mass media in Cuba, if not to achieve social equity, to preserve the power of the state.