May 16, 2001 - Arrested Cuban Dissidents Feel Betrayed by CNN***What happens when CNN films an opposition protest, staged at great risk to the protesters, and then declines to air it? Bad things, apparently.
On November 23 of last year, about 150 Cuban oppositionists gathered at the Havana home of Jose Orlando Gonzalez Bridon, leader of an illegal trade union. This was an unusually large gathering of the Cuban opposition, which is severely repressed by the regime. The oppositionists staged a bold protest against that regime, greatly encouraged by the apparent willingness of CNN to broadcast the event to the world. The oppositionists are desperate for their activities, and their very existence, to be known. They are certainly unafraid to challenge the regime; but they would naturally like some reward for their courage.
There is no doubt that CNN filmed the protest; a network spokeswoman confirms as much. But, for reasons unknown, the network chose not to air the film, or to report on the matter at all. There was, however, a report from Cuba on CNN that day: It was about the return of Elian Gonzalez to Cuban society, where "he is a typical, happy-go-lucky schoolboy."
Many of the Cubans who participated in the November 23 protest were later rounded up at a religious gathering. They were beaten and jailed. Gonzalez Bridon, the trade-union leader, is among those in prison. His wife has told supporters in the U.S. that she does not hold CNN responsible for the arrests; she does, however, believe the network behaved unethically and misleadingly. Many of the oppositionists are incensed at CNN, feeling betrayed. They maintain that CNN promised them it would air a story. The network's spokeswoman, however, says that it is CNN policy never to make such a promise. The oppositionists are in a very dark mood, suspecting the worst about CNN. They complain that the network is consistently pro-regime, and they note, too, that CNN honcho Ted Turner is a friend and admirer of the island's dictator. ……………………….