May 20, 2015
MIAMI - May 20 will mark the 30th anniversary of Radio Martí providing uncensored and unbiased news and information to the citizens of Cuba.
The staying power of Radio Martí is a testament to the importance of a free flow of information," said Carlos García-Pérez, Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees the Martís. "It is a profound and personal honor to be part of an institution that has made such a positive impact on the daily lives of people throughout the island."
Despite continuous jamming efforts by the Cuban government, Radio Martí reaches audiences in Cuba through a combination of high and low-tech approaches, such as satellite, shortwave and AM radio, online, flash drives, DVDs, and mobile apps.
"At each step of the way, the Cuban government has tried to stop us," García-Pérez explained. "But we have been undeterred and by pursuing creative media alternatives we have ensured that our professional journalism reaches Cuba."
In March of this year an independent survey found that 20 percent of Cubans are tuning in to Radio Martí.
Throughout its history, Radio Martí has been a singularly important source of uncensored information on some of the most important news in Cuba, including:
Glasnost and Perestroika reforms in the Soviet Union,
The fall of the Berlin Wall,
The 1994 "Cuban Exodus" and development of the so called "wet foot/dry foot" policy,
Pope John Paul's visit to Cuba in 1998,
The Elian Gonzalez saga,
Cuba's Black Spring, in which more than 75 dissidents, including 29 journalists, were imprisoned,
The death of prominent activists Oswaldo Paya and Laura Pollan,
Providing a pivotal voice for Human Rights movements all across the island, and
The release of American Alan Gross and the announcement of an opening of U.S.-Cuban relations.
Radio Martí historically took on an instrumental role through its investigative unit, which sought to corroborate news leads coming from the island.
In addition to major news events, Radio Martí has provided lifesaving public health information, breaking the news to Cuba and the world about the presence of HIV/AIDS on the island and the existence of the mental institution "Sanatorio de los Cocos," as well as the most recent cholera and chikungunya outbreaks. With news, arts, sports, entertainment and musical programming, the Martís bring aspiring, inspiring and empowering stories to Cubans.
The Martís will share an historic timeline, photos and articles online on martinoticias.com and will provide special programming, remembering key moments from its history and providing interviews with Cubans on the impact of Radio Martí.
"For 30 years Radio Martí has been a trusted source of news for the Cuban people," said García-Pérez. "We will continue to provide them with objective and balanced information so that they can make informed decisions as to their future."
Today Radio, TV Martí and martinoticias.com produce multimedia content that is used on the web 24/7, on around-the-clock radio broadcasts, and daily TV newscasts, long form TV documentaries and snackable content for the web and mobile.
The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent federal agency, supervising all U.S. government-supported, civilian international media, whose mission is to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. BBG networks include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti). BBG programming has a measured audience of 215 million in more than 100 countries and in 61 languages.
(BBG Press Release)
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