On Tuesday, Cubadebate, a leading news outlet of the Cuban regime, announced an open call to hire two web journalists-editors. However, this initiative quickly became the target of ridicule and criticism on social media platforms.
In recent hours, numerous users have voiced concerns regarding both the job conditions and the site's ability to accurately portray the country's reality.
Unrealistic Job Expectations
Promoting the slogan "Narrating the present from Cuba," the official media outlet has opened positions for those passionate about digital journalism and eager to "tell the stories that shape the present in Cuba and the world."
The announcement emphasizes the search for "talented, creative professionals committed to analyzing both national and international realities," proficient in digital environments and social media.
"If you have a passion for journalism, mastery of web editing, and social media communication skills, this could be your opportunity to join one of the most widely read multimedia platforms in the country," the announcement states.
Requirements include a university degree—preferably in Journalism—writing skills, current affairs knowledge, digital tools proficiency, and residence in Havana. Applicants are also asked to submit a portfolio containing at least five published works.
Low Salary Sparks Outrage
Cubadebate offers a monthly salary of 5,060 Cuban pesos, along with additional incentives, "growth opportunities," a "dynamic and collaborative environment," flexible hours, remote work, and "high-quality internet access."
The salary, equivalent to roughly $10 a month on the informal market, was among the first aspects to trigger reactions. Many users found the combination of high professional demands with such low compensation bewildering.
"What's the hourly rate?" a commentator sarcastically asked, while others outright labeled the offer a "joke."
The Bigger Issue: State-Controlled Journalism
Beyond just the pay, the conversation swiftly shifted to a more sensitive matter: the genuine possibility of practicing journalism within a Cuban state-run media outlet.
The central phrase of the job announcement—“narrating the present” and “telling the stories that shape Cuba’s reality”—faced significant scrutiny.
“Narrating international reality, maybe; but national?... Really? That's a good joke,” commented one user.
Another was more blunt: “If they narrate reality, they risk becoming prisoners of conscience. Unless it’s narrating the regime's virtual or imaginary reality.”
Distrust was a common theme. “Will they actually reveal the true reality of the Cuban people? I doubt it,” another user remarked.
Sarcasm and Rejection
Responses ranged from biting sarcasm to outright rejection of the official press model.
“Only two requirements: 1- Don’t think 2- Publish what you're told,” wrote one person.
Another comment was even more direct: “You’re not looking for journalists. You’re looking for parrots to repeat what you say.”
In a similar vein, someone reinterpreted the announcement's language: “Where it says ‘digital journalism,’ read party propaganda; and where it says ‘telling the stories that shape Cuba’s present,’ read reciting the leaders’ absurdities.”
The discussion ultimately transcended the job posting, evolving into a broader discourse about the role of journalism in Cuba.
Context of Censorship and Repression
This job offering emerges against a backdrop of censorship and repression. In the World Press Freedom Index 2025 by Reporters Without Borders, Cuba ranks 165th out of 180 countries, the lowest in Latin America.
The Cuban Constitution mandates that all media outlets belong to the State, rendering any independent journalistic activity clandestine. The 2024 Social Communication Law further tightened this control.
Repression against those daring to report outside the official apparatus is relentless. The Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press recorded 128 attacks against the press in February 2026 alone, a 172.3% increase from the previous year. These included forty arbitrary detentions, 52 psychological threats or attacks, 25 abuses of state power, and four physical assaults.
Meanwhile, Cubadebate not only publishes propaganda but also actively engages in defamation campaigns against independent media.
In November 2025, the outlet published an article titled "Radiography of Extreme Right Accounts Operating Against Cuba on X," identifying journalists and activists as part of an alleged "cognitive war."
While the regime stifles free press and forces dozens of independent journalists into exile, its media apparatus recruits new personnel with a salary offer that, according to its own readers, barely covers the cost of a meal in any Latin American capital.
Understanding Journalism Challenges in Cuba
Why did Cubadebate's job posting receive criticism?
The job posting was criticized for its low salary, high professional demands, and skepticism about the possibility of practicing independent journalism within a state-controlled media outlet in Cuba.
What is the context of press freedom in Cuba?
Cuba ranks very low on the World Press Freedom Index, with all media controlled by the State. Independent journalism is considered clandestine, and there is a high level of repression against journalists who operate outside the official narrative.