Wasting Time and Resources

Wasting Time and Resources / Fernando Dámaso
Fernando Dámaso, Translator: Unstated

The Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC), a governmental organization that
tries to sell itself as being non-governmental (NGO), has announced the
dates for its congress in 2013. Its theme of "a revolutionary journalism
in defense of socialism" is unambiguous. We now know with certainty what
will be discussed and what will be unanimously approved. They could call
off the congress and save both time and resources. For the confraternity
that is the UPEC, revolutionary journalism means agreeing with whatever
the government decides, supporting it and proclaiming it to the masses,
being unconditional in its politics without question or providing any
sort of unauthorized criticism, and carrying out orders. This "defense
of socialism" thing seems ironic. How do you defend something that has
been a failure throughout the entire world, including Cuba? The
alternative press and independent journalists don't count; they aren't
Cuban and belong to another galaxy.

I remember an immigration authority at Havana's José Martí Airport once
stopped a group of passengers who were about to enter the building after
descending from the plane. He told them, "Form a queue at the end of
this imaginary line," and pointed to the floor. The passengers looked at
each other in astonishment and began grumbling about this utterly absurd
proposition. Our "revolutionary journalists" neither look at each other
nor grumble. They see all too clearly that the line is real, not
imaginary, and that they cannot cross it.

In the much criticized republican past, there were journals and
journalists of all political persuasions. Alongside the conservative
Diario de La Marina there was the radical (communist) Hoy. Between these
were various gradations: El Mundo, Información El País, Excelsior, El
Crisol, Mañana, Prensa Libre, Alerta, La Calle, Ataja, Tiempo en Cuba
and others. Citizens had access to differing opinions. In accepting
those they felt had the most value most based on their own personal
beliefs, they were able to adopt new opinions or reinforce those they
already held. The press is not a single entity in the service of the
powerful, as the public has been led, and continues to be led, to believe.

If it wants to be respected, perhaps the UPEC should commit to a form of
journalism that is truly critical (especially as there is so much to be
critical about) — one that is responsible, free, that does not seek
permission and does not have ideological attachments, that reflects the
thoughts and beliefs of different segments of civil society and not just
those of the government. To continue playing the game referred to as
"unified thought" — something that has never existed, does not exist and
never will — is an unfortunate decision.

August 7 2012

http://translatingcuba.com/wasting-time-and-resources-fernando-dmaso/