BBG Watch EXCLUSIVE
BBG Watch has learned from a well-informed Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) source that the replacement of Carlos A. Garcia-Pérez as director of the U.S. government-funded Office of Cuba Broadcasting in charge of Radio and TV Marti by Maria “Malule” González was not in any way due to his deep suspicion of the Castro regime and the resumption of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations by President Obama.
The source which insists on anonymity told BBG Watch that Carlos A. Garcia-Pérez was highly regarded by BBG Chairman Jeff Shell. According to the source, Garcia-Pérez wanted to leave OCB for quite some time for family reasons. Other sources told us that BBG Chairman had asked Mr. Garcia-Pérez to continue in his job when he told him of his desire to leave. They also said that Garcia-Pérez helped to recruit his replacement.
“We are thrilled to have Malule join us at such a critical time for Cuba broadcasting,” said BBG Chairman Jeff Shell. “She is a seasoned, Emmy award-winning journalist, a proven leader and an innovator, and she has the skills and experience to lead the Martís through a new era of U.S. broadcasting to Cuba.”
“Since 2010, Carlos has passionately worked to provide Cubans with unbiased, accurate and reliable information,” said BBG CEO and Director John Lansing. “He has led the charge to improve programming, pursue new strategies to overcome Cuban jamming and enhance editorial effectiveness. He is a tireless defender of Article 19, and I know there are Cubans whose lives are better for it.”
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BBG PRESS RELEASE
Maria González To Head Office Of Cuba Broadcasting
DECEMBER 8, 2015
MIAMI – The Broadcasting Board of Governors today announced that Maria “Malule” González will take over as Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, responsible for the strategic planning and direction of TV Martí, Radio Martí and Martinoticias.com, which are collectively known as the Martís.
“We are thrilled to have Malule join us at such a critical time for Cuba broadcasting,” said BBG Chairman Jeff Shell. “She is a seasoned, Emmy award-winning journalist, a proven leader and an innovator, and she has the skills and experience to lead the Martís through a new era of U.S. broadcasting to Cuba.”
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve my country,” said González. “I strongly believe that the people of Cuba must have access to free and accurate information, and I am thrilled to work alongside the entire Marti team to ensure that they do.”
González began her journalism career as a writer, producer and manager in Puerto Rico before she moved to Univision in 1989, followed by Telemundo where she produced several shows and launched “CBS TeleNoticias,” the first Spanish 24-hour pan-regional news network.
Since then she has created popular programs for Venevision International, served as General Manager for an independent local station in Puerto Rico, and most recently has served as Vice-President and Station Manager for WLII and WSTE, two local stations owned and operated by Univision.
González will be taking over for Carlos A. Garcia-Pérez, who has served as OCB Director for five years.
“Since 2010, Carlos has passionately worked to provide Cubans with unbiased, accurate and reliable information,” said BBG CEO and Director John Lansing. “He has led the charge to improve programming, pursue new strategies to overcome Cuban jamming and enhance editorial effectiveness. He is a tireless defender of Article 19, and I know there are Cubans whose lives are better for it.”
Despite changes in its relationship with the United States, Cuba continues to have one of the world’s most restrictive media environments. The island nation consistently ranks in the bottom ten of Freedom House’s Freedom of the Press Index, and the Committee to Protect Journalists calls it one of the worst countries to be a blogger.
The Martís are a multimedia hub of news, information and analysis that provides a one-of-a-kind service that brings unbiased, objective information to Cuba. Despite consistent jamming by the Cuban government, OCB reaches audiences on the island through a variety of high- and low-tech solutions. In addition to satellite television, and shortwave, satellite, and AM radio, OCB launched a mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The Martís also use SMS text messaging as a means to push unfiltered information out to audiences.
González’s appointment is effective December 12, 2015.