PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Local congressional members are weighing in on Local 10 News becoming the first South Florida news station with a crew based in Havana.
"The only request from the Cuban government was a promise that our coverage would be fair," WPLG Vice President of News Bill Pohovey said. "That’s something we deliver in all of our news coverage."
Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart is wary about the movie.
"Look, it all depends," the 25th District Republican said.
Local 10 News Havana doesn't aim to be positive or negative in its Cuba coverage, just accurate and fair.
"I hope you cover the Ladies in White," Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who represents Florida's 27th District said.
Local 10 News has reported numerous times from Cuba over the last two years and included mistreatment of dissidents as well, as telling the stories of average Cubans, in its reporting.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, said he "doesn't have a problem" with the presence of a local news station in Cuba.
"Cuban people don't get to see it," he said.
There is no free press in Cuba, as media outlets are state-owned and run.
But Cubans like Yoanni Sanchez are pushing boundaries, using the internet to connect with the world.
Congressman Carlos Curbelo, a Republican representing Florida's 26th District,said the news crew in Cuba "is something to celebrate."
The Castro government has always been a master of public relations when it comes to spinning stories their way.
With a news crew stationed in Cuba, Local 10 will be able to tell unique stories that will give a deeper understanding of what is happening in real time on the island.
"We are very proud of the work that we’ve done in Cuba over the past few years," WPLG President Bert Medina said. "This opportunity takes it to a whole new level. We are making this investment because the Cuba story is very important to our community."
WPLG's arrangement with the Cuban government comes with no strings attached, providing the station with the freedom to live up to its journalistic standards.