Cubans Take Journalism Classes Led By US Professors Despite Risk Of Arrest

About 30 Cubans sit in a conference room for several hours each week and learn the ABCs of journalism: how to craft a news story, write a headline and check sources. To their government, however, they are taking part in criminal activity. It's not just that they are studying journalism in a country where the mass media is controlled by the state, but how and where they are doing it: inside the US Interests Section, the heavily guarded outpost of a government that has spent decades trying to undermine Cuba's communist government. Cubans take the courses in independent journalism, led by US professors via video link, knowing full well that they risk harassment or even arrest. "These courses are a very good opportunity for us, for those who don't have any resources, who don't have work, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that," said Eleyn Ponjuan, a 19-year-old attending the once-a-week sessions.

The journalism program, which is taught for free along with more popular but less controversial classes in English and information technology, has come under renewed criticism in Cuba amid talks to restore full diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana for the first time in more than 50 years. Cuban and US officials say they are close to being able to re-establish embassies. The negotiations are closed, but President Raul Castro singled out the educational courses when asked on May 12 about remaining obstacles to better relations. "What most concerns me is that they continue doing illegal things," Castro told reporters about activities inside the US Interests Section. "For example, graduating independent journalists."