U.S. paid Miami journalists under the table for Cuba propaganda

[warrens]

At least 10 South Florida journalists, including three from El Nuevo Herald, received regular payments from the U.S. government for programs on Radio Martí and TV Martí, two broadcasters aimed at undermining the communist government of Fidel Castro. The payments totaled thousands of dollars over several years.

Those who were paid the most were veteran reporters and a freelance contributor for El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish-language newspaper published by the corporate parent of The Miami Herald. Pablo Alfonso, who reports on Cuba and writes an opinion column, was paid almost $175,000 since 2001 to host shows on Radio Martí and TV Martí. El Nuevo Herald freelance reporter Olga Connor, who writes about Cuban culture, received about $71,000, and staff reporter Wilfredo Cancio Isla, who covers the Cuban exile community and politics, was paid almost $15,000 in the last five years.

Alfonso and Cancio were dismissed after The Miami Herald questioned editors at El Nuevo Herald about the payments. Connor's freelance relationship with the newspaper also was severed.

Alfonso and Cancio declined to comment. Connor was unavailable for comment.

Jesús Díaz Jr., president of the Miami Herald Media Co. and publisher of both newspapers, expressed disappointment, saying the payments violated a ''sacred trust'' between journalists and the public.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/15466239.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_local

[SteppingRazor]

1. Man, that is just SO shocking...

Who would've thought that El Nuevo Herald would have anti-Castro government shills working for it? :eyes:

[warrens]

2. And making more money taking govt money

Than their own jobs paid. Scum. And unemployable except as propagandists now.

[Benhurst]

3. Obviously you people don't understand the concept of a free press.

Since the BushAmerican free press is free, it doesn't have any money, so somebody has to pay them. What could be more reasonable than having the Bush Crime Family slip them some money under the table? That way the press remains free and reports only what should be reported.

Jeez!

[warrens]

4. Hell, if I knew they paid so well

I wonder if it's too late to recast myself as a crusading anti-Castro journalist?