Senate Panel OKs $7.5 Million for Television Marti
WASHINGTON — A Senate subcommittee agreed Friday to spend $7.5 million to start a U.S. government TV service to beam American news and entertainment programs to Cuba from a blimp over the Florida Keys.
Television Marti would air a variety of shows, from news and information to sitcoms and soap operas, to Cuban viewers. It would supplement Radio Marti, which has been broadcasting to Cuba since May, 1985.
“Everyone knows the effectiveness of television,†said Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that agreed to add the funds to the U.S. Information Agency’s 1989 budget.
“We want to accelerate the free flow of information to our friends in Cuba and we want to send the message of democracy to everyone on the island.â€
The USIA budget is to be considered by the full committee on Thursday.
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