Cuban Leader Diaz-Canel Advocates for Global Leftist Media Network

On Thursday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel called for the establishment of a global network of leftist media during the Third International Meeting of Theoretical Publications of Leftist Parties and Movements in Havana. According to the official newspaper Granma, this initiative aims to unite "critical and sovereign" media outlets to counter the "ideological offensive of imperialism" and strengthen "cultural sovereignty and the unity of the Global South."

Díaz-Canel encouraged those attending the event to develop a network connecting theoretical publications, print, and digital media across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This network would support thematic co-publishing and foster the development of young "revolutionary" communicators. He envisioned this platform as "a political tool" to "highlight leftist struggles" and nurture new generations committed to emancipatory thinking.

In his speech, Díaz-Canel echoed the sentiment that "to think is to fight, to publish is to resist, and to communicate is to liberate," emphasizing the need for strategic and thoughtful political communication that builds consensus and raises awareness. He further asserted that leftist publications hold a "historic responsibility in the battle for truth against media manipulation."

The address followed a presentation by journalist Ignacio Ramonet on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and "quantum superintelligence." Díaz-Canel underscored that sovereignty transcends territorial boundaries, encompassing "symbolic, cultural, and spiritual" dimensions, and stressed the importance of progressive forces uniting against global capitalism.

Contradictions Amidst Information Control

While Díaz-Canel advocates for a worldwide network of "critical and sovereign" media, Cuba itself lacks press freedom, with the state maintaining absolute control over information. His proposal comes merely five months after the implementation of Resolution 9/2025 by the Institute of Information and Social Communication, which allows for the closure of websites and digital publications without prior notice if they are deemed to violate "socialist principles." This regulation also empowers the regime to impose harsh penalties on those who republish after a shutdown, requires hosting providers to work solely with officially registered media, and mandates the disclosure of funding sources, effectively excluding independent outlets.

Presented as an effort to "organize" the national communication system, this resolution has been criticized as a tool for censorship and narrative control amid growing social discontent, marked by blackouts, protests, and the declining credibility of official media.

Censorship, Self-Censorship, and Official Discourse

In recent months, the regime has intensified its oversight of state media and the journalists working within them. In August, a televised debate in Cienfuegos revealed how official reporters admitted to self-censorship and the fear of repercussions from authorities. Despite this reality, Díaz-Canel maintains that "revolutionary press is independent and free" because it "does not serve capitalist or foreign interests," a claim deemed cynical by international organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which rank Cuba among the most repressive countries regarding press freedom.

The gap between Díaz-Canel's rhetoric and Cuba's reality is increasingly stark. While he speaks of "unity of the peoples" and "the battle for truth" in international forums, inside Cuba, journalists face surveillance, censorship, and threats for deviating from the Communist Party's line. In this context, the idea of an international network of leftist publications seems more like an attempt to export the Cuban model of media control rather than fostering cooperation among free voices.