The media sensationalism surrounding Obama's Cuba trip would have you believe that Google was readily providing free Internet access to the Cuban people.
One headline read, "Obama Says Google Has a Deal To Expand Internet Access in Cuba".
But that's simply not the case.
As Fabiola Santiago explains in her latest Miami Herald column, "Post-Obama Cuba asks: And now what?":
"Not only are lives still at risk -- more than 300 activists were arrested before Obama’s visit -- but some advances aren’t what they seem.
The tech center Google inaugurated is a step forward but a controlled one, brokered by rewarding Castro sympathizers. It gives a coveted Wi-Fi hotspot and the prestige of hosting a Google-sponsored technology zone in his studio to Kcho, a mediocre but official artist who’s a Castro protege and calls Fidel his father.
Yet the government turned down Google’s proposal to connect all of Cuba for free."
One headline read, "Obama Says Google Has a Deal To Expand Internet Access in Cuba".
But that's simply not the case.
As Fabiola Santiago explains in her latest Miami Herald column, "Post-Obama Cuba asks: And now what?":
"Not only are lives still at risk -- more than 300 activists were arrested before Obama’s visit -- but some advances aren’t what they seem.
The tech center Google inaugurated is a step forward but a controlled one, brokered by rewarding Castro sympathizers. It gives a coveted Wi-Fi hotspot and the prestige of hosting a Google-sponsored technology zone in his studio to Kcho, a mediocre but official artist who’s a Castro protege and calls Fidel his father.
Yet the government turned down Google’s proposal to connect all of Cuba for free."
No comments:
Post a Comment