"Pese al clima –por momentos agobiante– de polarización, en Cuba ha emergido una variedad de blogs y de blogueros que buscan sobreponerse a las dificultades políticas y materiales. Más allá de los adjetivos con que cada «bando» busca descalificar a los otros, en los últimos años la exten
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sión de la blogósfera cubana ha sido capaz, no obstante, de construir algunos puentes y espacios que buscan salir de los «monólogos» tanto oficialistas como opositores. Todo ello en un contexto en el que tanto para el gobierno cubano como para el de Estados Unidos la web forma parte de una batalla política de mayores dimensiones." (Resumen)
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"The religious media in Cuba currently provide the most substantial alternative to the official media, other than academic and cultural publications such as TEMAS and those of the universities and research centers. Given that the academic and cultural publications are published by institutions techn
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ically within the state sector, the religious media is, using a strict definition, the only fully autonomous media sector in Cuba, other than the independent journalists’ movement. With respect to the religious media in Cuba, it should be noted that virtually all suffer from a scarcity of resources. Most of the material resources come from abroad and are subject to government regulation and control, thereby encouraging caution on the part of churches and other religious organizations. They, as well as foreign religious donors, have been careful not to become identified with some of the dissident or oppositional sectors of civil society. Even so, the increased role of religions in responding to the socioeconomic needs of the population has expanded the credibility and influence of most religions within civil society and hence their publications. Overall, while religions and the religious media are emerging as critical elements of a revitalizing civil society, there is an understandable desire on their part not to precipitate serious conflicts with the government. While religious leaders, by and large, may have become more publicly critical of the government, this has not translated into substantial efforts on their part to directly mobilize civil society." (Conclusion, page 199-200)
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"This book examines US foreign policy toward the so-called 'rogue states' and the products of the Hollywood film industry in relation to these states, which promises to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the 'soft power' that is popular culture." (Publisher description)
"With the rise of Spanish language media around the world, The Handbook of Spanish Language Media provides an overview of the field and its emerging issues. This Handbook will serve as the definitive source for scholars interested in this emerging field of study; not only to provide background knowl
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edge of the various issues and topics relevant to Spanish language media, but also to establish directions for future research in this rapidly growing area. This volume draws on the expertise of authors and collaborators across the globe." (Publisher description)
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"This searching examination explores how the internet is threatening the rule of particularly repressive governments - including China, Cuba, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Addressing internet censorship, citizen journalism, and the growing popularity of blogging as a means for change, this in-dept
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h analysis provides unique insight into these cultures as well as the latest media technologies." (Publisher description)
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