From My Perspective.  May 13, 2009
Ricardo Gonzalez
In his budget proposal for 2010, President Obama included support for Radio and TV Marti, allocating $32.5 million for the broadcasting network that beams news and information to Cuba from its base in Miami.
Aside from the obvious waste of taxpayers’ money, at a time when the President is supposedly cutting ineffective and useless spending, continuing these broadcasts sends the wrong signal to Cuba if indeed this Administration is interested in “a new beginning” with our island neighbor.
TV Marti has never been able to reach the Cuban people because the Cuban government jams its signal, making it a total waste of money and effort.  Radio Marti, on the other hand, is listened to by some on the Island, especially the dissident community, but its overall reach to a mass audience is greatly questioned.
There is no doubt that Radio and TV Marti are meant to satisfy the wishes of the Cuban exile community in South Florida and are really nothing more than Pork.  The U.S. already funds the Voice of America and that would be a more likely and appropriate outlet for “news and information” to counter the state-sponsored news available in Cuba.
Just a few months ago, Radio and TV Marti were the subject of a Congressional review that found many inconsistencies and ineffectiveness in its operation, prompting Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) to call for an end to the broadcasts.
Furthermore, these broadcasts are one of the thorny issues between Cuba and the U.S.  Their elimination would be a significant message to Havana that the new Administration in Washington means what it says.  Their continuation gives credence to what many skeptics are already saying: that President Obama does not have the will to go through with necessary changes in Cuba policy.
Let’s hope this is not the case.