On Cuba’s Social Communication Law (III).

If the Social Communication System is based on principles such as strengthening the culture of dialogue and transformative participation at the social level, then we are talking about our thriving Cuban civil society.

Article 8 of the law establishes that the information exchanged in social communication processes must be truthful, objective, timely, updated, verifiable and understandable.

The norm explains that the contents about the elderly and those addressed to them recognize their rights, contribute to raise their quality of life and promote their self-determination, integration and social participation, as well as the responsibility of families and society with their welfare.

The contents that address the issue of people with disabilities protect their rights and promote awareness of their potential as active subjects in society; these contents exclude any welfare and disabling approach.

The mass media respect the dignity and autonomy of persons with disabilities and contemplate their participation in the construction of contents as recognized sources and voices.

The mass media shall guarantee access to content for persons with disabilities, in accordance with international treaties on the subject, to which Cuba is a party.

The fundamental means of social communication stimulate popular participation in the economic, social and cultural development of the country, make visible with transparency the state management and the exercise of socialist democracy, strengthen the values and identity of the nation and mobilize social action for the defense of the interests of the people.

If the Social Communication System is based on principles such as strengthening the culture of dialogue and transforming participation at the social level, then I believe we are talking about a fundamental actor: our thriving Cuban civil society.

Written by Dr Osvaldo Manuel Álvarez Torres.