Although the anticipated opening of Cuban society in the aftermath of the pope's visit did not materialize, there was a six-month lull in the systematic repression of independent journalists. Prior to a December 10 opposition rally on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, State Security officers went to journalists' homes and physically prevented them from covering the event. They used the same tactic to keep journalists from covering the December 16 trial of a dissident who was arrested at the December 10 rally. Despite these strictures, spaces have been opening in Cuba for both local and foreign journalists. AP, which was expelled from Cuba in 1969, joins CNN, which is the only U.S. media organization with a permanent presence in the country.
Cuban journalists say the foreign journalists serve as a strong deterrent against public abuses.
For example, the presence of a CNN camera crew outside the courthouse where journalist Mario J. Viera was to be tried for slander on November 27 apparently forced the authorities to show restraint when a protest erupted. After three protesters were arrested, the trial was postponed indefinitely.