Joe Cardona, Miami Herald

Last week the BBC ran a story, by reporter Sarah Rainsford, claiming sources within the dogmatic and unyielding Cuban state-run radio had declared that previously forbidden Cuban-American musical performers such as Willy Chirino, Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz have been stricken from the censored list and will now be played over the island radio waves.

The story spread like wildfire on the blogosphere. Incredible and irresponsible headlines in several languages promoted the supposed act of openness as fact. The Cuban government has not officially commented on any policy changes regarding artists that can or cannot be played on its radio stations. Moreover, as of yet, no banned artist has been played on air.

This was just another hapless attempt to depict Fidel’s dictator brother Raúl as something other than what he is, a ruthless despot.