Journalists Fired For Payments From Radio/TV Marti

Two journalists for the daily MIAMI Spanish-language EL NUEVO HERALD newspaper were fired after the disclosure that they and at least eight other SOUTH FLORIDA journalists were paid by the U.S. government to appear on RADIO MARTI and TV MARTI. EL NUEVO HERALD's sister paper THE MIAMI HERALD reports that columnist/reporter PABLO ALFONSO was paid almost $175,000. since 2001 by the OFFICE OF CUBA BROADCASTING to host shows on the CUBA-oriented radio and TV operations, while reporter WILFREDO CANCIO ISLA was paid almost $15,000. Both were fired, and EL NUEVO HERALD also severed ties with freelance reporter OLGA CONNOR, who was paid about $71,000. by RADIO/TV MARTI. 

Among other journalists alleged to have received payments from the government broadcaster are DIARIO LAS AMERICAS opinion page editor HELEN AGUIRRE FERRE and reporter/columnist ARIEL REMOS, Spanish LPTV WJAN-CA/MIAMI News Dir. MIGUEL COSSIO and reporter JUAN MANUEL CAO, and syndicated columnist CARLOS ALBERTO MONTANER.

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