Cuba, a country with one of the most restrictive governments in the world in terms of freedom of speech and freedom of information, is facing the latest challenge from veteran opposition blogger Yoani Sanchez who has started up a news website that seeks to be the first independent voice allowed in the country in 50 years since the revolution and communist overthrow of the government.
The website has faced immediate challenges starting with the launch on Wednesday May 21st when it made its debut when pro- government hackers hacked into the website. On Wednesday, within hours of the launch, visitors to www.14ymedio.com were re-directed to a pro government website which criticized the new website.
In its first day of news service the website devoted its first article to the Universal healthcare system and did it’s reporting from a hospital where it described the current working situation of the nurses who are on duty in one of the Havana hospitals and the condition Cuban residences find one of their hospitals and healthcare system in when they arrive for treatment.
Among the many topics on the website there are sections for Reports, present (what is happening now), Interviews, opinions, Tips and crossfire. In a statement regarding the website, Ms. Sanchez said that she wanted her website to provide “information so that Cubans can decide with more maturity”. Her husband Reinaldo Escobar, who will serve as the editor in chief put out a statement saying “We want to produce a newspaper that doesn’t aim to be anti- Castro”.
Reading the Opinion of Opposition Blogger Yoani Sanchez
The newspaper has about 9 reporters for its inaugural staff who report from all across the island. However over the weekend, the website was unblocked and people throughout the Island where able to gain access to the website, although it is uncertain how many visitors and registered people will sign up for the website as there is already a fee to the internet for people to gain access throughout the island.
Among those who have access to the Internet (only 2.6 out of 11.2 million) spend a majority of their time according to a Reuters report, spend it checking e-mail and checking in with family on FACEBOOK. Only time will tell if the new Government of Raul Castro will allow this new freedom of information.
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