Malule González, OCB Director – BBG 2016 annual report

From the Director

2016 was a historic year for Cuba and for OCB. Not only for the unprecedented events that occurred on the island but for the many changes that occurred within the Martís. Efficiency and synergies were created to transform the operation into a multiplatform media outlet, consistent with the BBG strategic priorities of impact and agility.

OCB’s network of independent reporters in Cuba kept growing, spurring the creation of more independent news agencies and the launch of many emergent digital outlets.

But despite these developments, international reports showed that human rights continued to be violated, with journalists and dissidents being persecuted, threatened, and detained. Freedom of speech is still a right that rapprochement has not been able to provide.

Throughout it all, the Martís provided in-depth coverage of stories important to Cuban audiences. Our journalists took considerable risk to unearth stories that Cubans would not otherwise have access to, and OCB distributed the content overcoming censorship and harassment.

The Martís also took the lead in internet freedom efforts with the widely reported inaugural Cuba Internet Freedom Conference (CIF).

As the Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Maria “Malule” González is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of TV Martí, Radio Martí and Martinoticias.com, which are collectively known as the Martís.

Malule González started her career in Puerto Rico in 1984 as a journalist for the newspaper “El Nuevo Dia.” She then moved to WAPA, Channel 4, as the producer of a local morning show and then as the general producer of the prime time news. González was also a manager of WSJN, Channel 24, the first 24-hour news channel in the island.

González moved to the mainland in 1989 to work for Univision as Promotion Director for the Hispanic network and eventually moved to the news department. She produced several news shows before going to Telemundo to launch “Noticiero Telemundo” and the ambitious project “CBS TeleNoticias,” the first 24-hour Spanish pan-regional news network. At Telemundo she also served as Executive Producer for the Emmy-winning talk show “Sevcec” and the news magazine “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste” before moving back to her native Puerto Rico, as General Manager of América CV, a local station affiliated to Miami’s America Teve. In 2012, González was recruited by Univision Local Media as Vice-President and Station Manager for WLII and WSTE, two local stations owned and operated by the network. When Univision decided to restructure and downsize their operations in Puerto Rico, González returned to Miami and has been working as a media consultant for various TV stations and media conglomerates.

González is a well-rounded media professional with ample radio and digital experience. In 1997, she helped launched and positioned Radio Unica for Joaquin Blaya, Univision’s former President and CEO. Her digital experience dates back to 1999 when she worked for a Chase Capital Partners Internet start-up. Also, at the various TV stations where she has worked, she has led the digital expansion. González has prepared various papers and presentations about the future of television, considering the advent of social media, VOD and TV streaming.

González has a BA in Journalism and Broadcasting and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico. She has served on various boards, including the Florida chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and has won five “Emmy Awards” and a “Cúspide.”

González began her service at OCB in December 2015.