Cuban journalism students: between ideals and state ideology

Abstract

Cuban journalism students find that journalistic ideals learnt in university are incompatible with the media reality they encounter during periods of practical training in state media. Journalism education in Havana pertains, in many ways, to aspects of ‘Western’ journalistic ideals, such as providing criticism, investigative journalism and reporting on social ills. In the propagandistic defence paradigm of Cuban state media, such ideals are very difficult to pursue. Although enjoying the hands-on experience, students also become frustrated and demotivated with censorship and institutionalised news criteria during training periods. Many thus look for opportunities in non-state outlets, where journalistic ideals are closer to those learnt in university.