Book Description

This report by the committee majority staff is part of our ongoing examination into the efficacy of Radio and TV Marti. Radio Marti was created in 1983 to support the Cuban people in their quest for "accurate, unbiased, and consistently reliable" news and entertainment; TV Marti followed in 1990. Unfortunately, listeners and viewers never received the kind of high quality programming that was originally intended. Problems with adherence to traditional journalistic standards, miniscule audience size, Cuban Government jamming, and allegations of cronyism have dogged the program since its creation. As a result, Congress has reduced TV Marti's funding and has strongly encouraged Radio Marti to ensure that its broadcasts adhere to journalistic standards practiced by the Voice of America. Indeed, this report goes further, and recommends that the Office of Cuba Broadcasting be incorporated into the Voice of America.