Cuban TV Censorship Acknowledged by Lucas Awards Director: "We Won't Allow Criticism of the Revolution"

Orlando Cruzata, the head of the Lucas Awards, openly acknowledged in Cuba's state-run media that censorship is utilized as part of a "cultural policy" to prevent negative comments about the "revolution." He stated in an interview with Cubadebate, "Of course, we will not allow anyone to speak poorly of the revolution on television; it's a part of our cultural policy, just as we do not tolerate denigrating remarks about women, homosexuals, or individuals with different religious beliefs."

When asked about the cultural phenomenon known as "reparto" in Cuba, Cruzata emphasized their efforts to "include" in cultural projects, citing the late art critic Rufo Caballero: "True cultural processes include, not exclude." He added, "It's anyone's right to do as they please, but genuine cultural projects cannot exclude."

Nevertheless, he clarified that inclusion is not an option if the government is criticized. Cruzata believes those in charge of audiovisual projects bear significant responsibility in deciding what content gets aired, especially in a time when mass media has become democratized. "It's not about opposing what someone chooses to express through an audiovisual medium. These are artistic expressions, like painting or poetry. However, when it comes to large media outlets, the programming policy, which allows these contents to reach thousands, must be respected," he explained.

He further noted the importance of being "cautious" when deciding what to broadcast on television, considering the broader context. "The key is to be very careful when selecting what to air. It's easy to say no, but it's important to consider the context, the creators, and even the artistic vision of the creator, because a mediocre topic can result in a great music video, or vice versa," he added.

Regarding reggaeton, Cruzata mentioned that producers were instructed during a meeting that the lyrics must not be vulgar if they wish to be aired on television, and the productions "had to be of higher quality." "Until then, the music videos were of low quality," he remarked.

Since launching "Los Lucas" in 1997, Orlando Cruzata has faced recent challenges with Cuban Television, although he now aligns with the official cultural policy. In February 2023, he publicly denounced his exclusion from the Annual Review Meeting of the Cuban Television's Music Programs Department, an event he regularly attended. Cruzata viewed this exclusion as an attempt to silence his critiques and opinions regarding the department's management.

The prevalence of censorship and manipulation hampers cultural, sports, and artistic practices in Cuba. This type of control highlights the lack of freedom of expression and the use of culture or even sports as tools of official propaganda.

In another recent censorship incident, former pitcher Omar Ajete, considered one of the best left-handers in Cuban baseball history, was abruptly silenced during a live broadcast of the III Elite League. From Captain San Luis Stadium, Ajete was responding to a question from journalist Yoan Luis Piedra when he dared to mention an inconvenient truth: the deplorable conditions faced by retired athletes. As he complained about the care for retirees, his microphone was cut off, and he and the interviewer were removed from the frame.