Journalism and Media

Home to primarily government run news outlets and media centres, the journalism and media industry in Cuba covers a wide range of subjects from sporting events to classic Hemingway literature despite being strongly influenced by social and political aspects. Volunteering in Cuba for journalism and media means being paired with writers, editors, photographers, printers and journalists with CubaPlus magazine which is supported by Prensa Latina State News and covering a variety of topics around the island while gaining an up-close and personal look at what it means to be authentically Cuba.

Public Relations and Communications

Communications
  • Develop, implement and evaluate communications strategies and programs designed to inform clients, employees and the general public of initiatives and policies of businesses, governments and other organizations
  • Gather, research and prepare communications material for internal and external audiences
  • Conduct public opinion and attitude surveys to identify the interests and concerns of key groups served by their organization
  • Prepare or oversee preparation of reports, briefs, bibliographies, speeches, presentations, Web sites and press releases
  • Develop and organize workshops, meetings, ceremonies and other events for publicity, fundraising and information purposes
  • Prepare and deliver educational and publicity programs and informational materials to increase awareness of museums, galleries and other tourist attractions
  • Initiate and maintain contact with the media
  • Arrange interviews and news conferences
  • Act as spokesperson for an organization and answer written and oral inquiries
  • Co-ordinate special publicity events and promotions for internal and external audiences
  • Assist in the preparation of brochures, reports, newsletters and other material
  • Represent and act as an agent for talented individuals or individuals with specific occupational expertise
  • Prepare or oversee preparation of sports, literary, performance or other contracts

Literary agents specialize in representing specific types of authors and writers. Performance agents specialize in representing specific singers, musicians, actors or other performers. Sports agents specialize in representing specific athletes or sports teams.

Photography and Photojournalism **FEATURED**

Cuban Photography
  • Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
  • Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
  • May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
  • May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
  • May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/newmedia products
  • May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
  • May process exposed film
  • May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
  • Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators

Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.

Writer/Journalist

Writer
  • Help collect local, national and international news through interviews, investigation and observation
  • Write news stories for publication and broadcast
  • Receive, analyze and verify news and other copy for accuracy
  • Arrange for and conduct interviews as part of research and for radio and television programs
  • Research and help report on developments in specialized fields such as medicine, science and technology
  • Learn how to prepare regular feature columns and stories on specialized topics
  • Write editorials and commentaries on topics of current interest to stimulate public interest and express the views of a publication or broadcasting station
  • Proof read critical reviews of literary, musical and other artistic works based on knowledge, judgement and experience

Journalists may specialize in print, broadcast or Webcast media, in particular issues such as political affairs or entertainment news, or in a particular geographic area.