Cuban government denies journalists visas

20 Nov 2009 | Index Index, minipost

On 12 November, Cuban authorities refused to issue visas for 15 international journalists hoping to report on the Global Forum for Health Research in Havana from 16-20 November.

International journalism organisation Media 21, based in Switzerland, had selected 15 journalists from countries including Guatemala, Brazil, Spain, Uganda, France and the United States to cover the event and participate in a series of workshops.

According to the Cuban Embassy in Berne, the Foreign Ministry in Havana decided not to issue visas to journalists wishing to participate in the Media 21 programme, which seeks to promote quality reporting of key global issues through specially tailored workshops and field trips. ( World Federation of Science Journalists)

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Obama calls on Cuba to release political prisoners

24 Jul 2009 | Index Index, minipost

US President Barack Obama has called upon the Cuban government to free all of its political prisoners. The US President issued the statement while maintaining that he would like closer US-Cuban relations in the future if the communist country takes steps towards democracy. Read more here

Cuban photographer held in unknown location

19 Jun 2009 | Index Index, minipost

Cuban photojournalist Maria Nelida Lopez Baez has been arrested and is being held at an unknown location on the communist-ruled island. The journalist faces possible persecution for “pre-criminal social danger,” the Paris-based organisation  Reporters Without Borders says. Read more here