The Instituto de Información y Comunicación Social (ICS) is the central state entity responsible for managing Cuba’s media and communication policy. Established on August 24, 2021, by Decree-Law 41/2021, it replaced the former Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT). ICS oversees all public media, including television, radio, print, and digital platforms, and is tasked with implementing the state’s communication strategy across organizational, community, and media domains.
ICS manages Televisión Cubana, which comprises nine channels. Additionally, ICS oversees Radio Cubana, a network of approximately 100 stations, six of which have nationwide coverage. One of these stations, Radio Habana Cuba, is specifically intended for international audiences.
Media assets
Television: Televisión Cubana (Cubavisión, Tele Rebelde, Canal Caribe, Canal Habana, Cubavisión Internacional, Canal Clave, Canal Educativo, Canal Educativo 2, Multivisión)
Radio: Radio Cubana (Radio Rebelde, Radio Progreso, Radio Taíno, Radio Reloj, CMBF Radio Musical Nacional, Radio Enciclopedia, Radio Havana Cuba)
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
In August 2021, the Cuban government officially dissolved the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT) and established the Institute of Information and Social Communication (ICS) as its successor. This transition was formalized through Decree-Law 41/2021, published in Cuba’s Official Gazette, and was presented as a modernization effort to centralize and strengthen the state’s communication policy.
The ICS was created to oversee and control all aspects of Cuba’s social communication system, including media, organizational, and community communication. Its responsibilities encompass the regulation of media content, management of the country’s brand image, and oversight of advertising and sponsorship in Cuban media.
Some observers and independent media outlets have likened the ICS to a “Ministry of Truth,” drawing parallels to George Orwell’s concept in his novel 1984. This comparison stems from concerns that the ICS’s broad mandate to control and direct communication could lead to increased censorship and suppression of dissenting voices.
ICS is a government-controlled entity under the Administration of the Central State. Its leadership includes Alfonso Noya Martínez, President of ICS, who previously led the ICRT and is a member of the Council of Ministers, Belkys Pérez Cruz, Jorge Legañoa Alonso, and Onelio Castillo Corderí, serving as Vice Presidents.
Source of funding and budget
ICS is entirely funded by the Cuban government through the national budget. Specific budgetary allocations for ICS are not publicly disclosed.
In recent years, Cuba has initiated experiments aimed at improving the financial sustainability of its media outlets. These initiatives encourage media entities to diversify their revenue streams and enhance operational efficiency, potentially reducing reliance on state funding.
Editorial independence
ICS operates under strict state control, with its mission defined as managing, executing, and overseeing the application of state and government communication policies.
Article 55 of the Cuban Constitution designates media as “socialist property of the entire people,” granting the state authority to determine the principles governing media organization and operation.
ICS’s outlets frequently portray dissidents and protesters against the regime as “criminal actors.” For instance, during the 2019 constitutional referendum, Cuban state television aired reports accusing critics of the new constitution of attempting to undermine the socialist system. These broadcasts labeled opposition groups, such as the 27N Collective and the San Isidro Movement, as agents of subversion, suggesting they were influenced by foreign interests.
This pattern of media portrayal continues to be a regular feature of ICS’s content. State media frequently disseminates reports that discredit government critics, framing their actions as criminal or traitorous. Such coverage serves to delegitimize dissent and reinforce the government’s narrative.
There is no independent oversight mechanism or legal statute in place to guarantee the editorial independence of ICS-managed media outlets. Content produced by these outlets often aligns closely with government narratives, and dissenting views are typically absent from mainstream media coverage.
June 2025