booktv, 48 hours of book programming beginning saturday morning at 8 eastern through monday morning at 8 eastern. nonfiction books all weekend, every weekend right here on c-span2. >> here's a look at what's ahead today on c-span2. next, "the communicators" continues its series on u.s. government-backed broadcasts to foreign countries. in a discussion with the director of cuba broadcasting. then a forum on the planned closure of camp ashraf in iraq and iran's nuclear threat. and later at 1 p.m. eastern the senate returns from its thanksgiving recess for more debate on fiscal 2012 defense programs with possible votes on amendments. at 5 eastern, members consider a judicial nomination follow with the a confirmation roll call vote. >> this week on "the communicators," a discussion about u.s. government sponsored

broadcasts into cuba. our guest is carlos garcia-perez, director of the office of cuba broadcasting. he oversees radio and tv marti. >> host: and this is week three of "the communicators" look at government-sponsored broadcasting. this week a look at radio and tv marti with carlos garcia-perez who is the director of the office of cuba broadcasting. matt lee of the associated press is our guest reporter. mr. garcia, first off, what is the mission of radio and tv marti? >> guest: first of all, thanks, thank you so much for inviting me here. our mission is to access the free flow of information to the people inside cuba. and we do that on very broad terms. including programs, news and very interactive with our audience. >> host: where are you based, how many employees, budget? >> guest: we are based out of miami, we have approximately 126

employees. our budget for this year is $28.5 million, and it's breaking down, obviously, in different parts. but we are out of miami, we also have a reporter in washington, new york, we are stringers in different parts of latin america or europe where the content of those cups we might -- those countries we might deem relevant to our audience. >> host: how do you get radio and tv marti broadcast into cuba? what method? >> guest: radio, we use am. we have a retransmission station in marathon -- >> host: mare marathon, fg. >> guest: thank you. tv, we use a direct t satellite -- directv satellite, we have the airplane, and we're also using nontraditional methods to get our tv content into the island which have been very successful

in the last month or month and a half. >> host: such as? >> guest: flash drives and dvds. >> host: really? >> guest: it's been fabulous. our research, we did a lot of research. we've done 23 focus groups since i've been at the martis. i've been there a year and a week. and what we found out is that people in cuba really look for -- they want news. they definitely want news. and when they think news, it's relevant to the focus groups, they mention the martis. they are the a source of reliable news for them. but they also watch tv using dvds and flash drives. they don't like the human television, and our tv, you know, they have to -- they don't struggle to watch it, but it's not easy to get. plus, cuban security is always paying attention whether you're watching tv or listening to radio marti. so the flash drives and dvds are a med we have found out is

very -- >> host: do you smuggle them in? >> guest: we don't smuggle them in, we send them through legal means. >> host: such as the mail? >> guest: yes. >>st and who receives them? >> guest: we're in contact with people inside cuba constantly. so we send them to the audience. the other day we got a call from one of our audience, and he said, i'm missing game six and seven of the world series. we were delighted to hear that. so we sent it to him. >> host: so you say that you send, you have all these different methods. what kind of a reach do you have into cuba? >> guest: it's a very good question, and it's something i asked myself when i first got to the martis, how am i going to measure my success, right? not my success, but the institution's success. by the phone calls that we get, by the e-mails that we get, by the replies to our text messages that we get, by the increased participation that we've seen on our programs we know we're being successful. the other component is we've

seen the cuban government react to a lot of our initiatives as of the last two or three months. they actually had a raid of tv antennas and satellite dishes i think last week or the week before. so we know, it's very difficult to scientifically measure the audience because we can't walk around cuba with a clip board asking people whether you watch radio or tv marti. but that's how we know, and we're very, very happy with the results. >> host: mr. garcia, one more question, then we'll turn it over to matt lee. how do you conduct focus groups? >> guest: we do it with recent arrivals. we're a miami station, right? let me take that back, that's not what i want to say. we're located in miami, but we service the market that's outside the city which is cuba, and we focus on cuba. so what we did was we started to do focus groups of recent arrivals into miami to understand the daily lives of our audience.

we cannot operate in a vacuum. we need to know how they get to a baseball game, how they get their food, how they listen to radio, how they use internet, cell phones. so we've done extensive research on really understanding our audience which has created that we have changed some of our programs and the way we broadcast news. our news is relevant to our audience. in cuba. >> host: matt lee. >> host: well, i just want to get back to the whole idea of audience penetration and how you know that the money, the money, the $28.5 million, your yearly budget, is, that the product of that is getting to people in cuba. i don't think anyone would argue that it's not a good idea to send, to transmit unbiased news into cuba, but, i mean, the last time that i'm aware of that there was a study done was a ga

report from two years ago predating your arrival there. that found that less than 1% of the cuban population was able to see either tv marti or radio marti due in large part to the cuban jamming of the signals. have you seen any change in that? and when you talk about your focus groups with recent arrivals, are you convinced that they, that those focus groups are giving you, giving you an accurate assessment that the audience is actually larger or potential audience is actually larger than the 1% that the gao found? >> guest: before i took this job, i read all those reports. and i, i looked at kind of my bases, you know, because you have to listen to both sides. and let me start with the focus groups. the focus groups are not, we're not asking them whether they listen to radio and tv marti. we're exploring and

understanding the daily lives of our audience. my previous comment was based on the fact that unsolicited ander relevant to the focus group or the topic of that focus group, generally they say we get our news from radio and tv marti more from radio than tv. now, how do we know that people are listening and watching is based on part of the things that i already expressed. there are surveys, also, in 2010 we've done research that show that 40% of -- this is 2010. 40% of listeners or people that we asked listen to radio marti during the last year that they were in cuba or whatever. and 6% on tv. now, it's a challenge like it is in north korea, right? but that's why we have become a

multimedia platform. we try to get our message any way we can. because that's really, you know, we have a government that doesn't want people to obtain information. and we are doing that, i believe, successfully because i'm at the station long hours. and you see the reaction from people. you know, you see them participate on our shows. >> host: does that mean that they are getting, that the jamming is somehow lessened, or does it mean that people are finding ways to get around this? i know you have an extensive internet, web presence, but i would imagine given the internet restrictions that there are for the people in cuba, um, that major audience for that is probably cuban exiles in the miami area who have much greater access to the internet than they do in cuba. how do you, how do you tell whether people in cuba are seeing your stuff on line? >> guest: let me comment about the internet because you mentioned it. the internet, the majority does not come from the united states.

if you look at where the servers are located that they're accessing our web site, the majority is from the united states, but the second and third and fourth countries are spain, canada, argentina, mexico. that's the last ranking i saw. please, don't hold me to -- >> host: but those would be cuban exiles. >> guest: no. our understanding is in cuba it's easier to access those servers than accessing servers in the the united states. that's the one thing. the other thing we have, we have proxy sites now that we promote on normal platforms where people in cuba can access our web site encrypted, and the cuban government cannot follow what is it that they're doing because of the restrictions. um, and you had another question, i want to make sure i answered that. i went off on the internet, i can't remember -- you had another issue. >> host: well, it was just along

the same lines. i mean, do you -- how do you, do you see, how do you quantify the improvement in your audience in cuba itself? and this would mainly be related to the broadcast and to the broadcast both radio and television. >> guest: right. you were mentioning the jamming. has the jamming gotten worse or less? you know, i don't know that. i don't know what the cuban government -- you know, we don't react to what the cuban government does. we have a strategy, we deliver our contempt, and that's what we really care about. now, we've had shows that i'm in my office listening, and our talent has had to ask the person calling in, please, lower your volume because we're getting feedback. you know, that's very telling. i'm not saying everybody in this town -- >> host: and these are calls from cuba? >> guest: oh, absolutely. absolutely. we focus on cuba, you know? and we focus on the people of cuba. and that's really where we

target. >> host: now, you mentioned that you'd seen some reaction, negative reactions from the cuban government recently over the last couple months including a raiding of the television commitment places. >> guest: right. >> host: is there anything to suggest there's been positive, any of the changes these recent, very slight moves towards liberalizing the economy and allowing people to sell used cars, allowing farmers to sell directly to some hotels, that kind of thing? is there any way that you can point to recent positive actions or what we would consider positive actions by the cuban government in terms of reform as being related to, um, your broadcasts and perhaps people's demand for these changes? >> guest: well, we have reported on these changes, and what we've noticed is that the legalization of selling cars, for example, it was something that was going on inside the island. all they did was legalize an

illegal activity. buying and selling a house or a home in cuba was difficult, but they were getting around it. so they have legalized that also. so what we've seen is that the civil society or i like to call it our audience, but the civil society in cuba has pushed the government, that's what we've seen, that's what we're reporting, to make these reforms. and that's what we're reporting on. in terms of having, allowing them to watch us or listen to us, that hasn't gotten any better. we went to interview, we went to a conference in youngstown state last friday where there was a cuban diplomat there, and our reporter very nicely approached the gentleman to interview him, and he was shut down by, unfortunately, a professor from the university. but, you know, that's -- it's still there, unfortunately, still there. um, we work with that. i mean, again, we are providing

the free flow of information to our audience, and that's what we focus on. >> host: right. but a lot of people have talked about al-jazeera in arabic and it impact on the arab spring and the uprisings that are going on across the middle east and north africa and how not -- it is, perhaps, not fomenting this kind of unrest, but it's certainly giving people in that region unsanitized, un-government sanitized news. is there a role for radio and tv marti in trying to drive changes in cuba and perhaps affect a change, a governmental change that can be seen at the end of castro's iron fist? >> guest: well, through giving them information, yes. aside from the reforms, we've seen many, many more arrests this year than last year, and it's not because the regime is more aggressive, it is because

more people are coming out and protesting, you know, i can't have a steak. and fidel's wife is cooking a steak tonight. why can't i do that? so those are the kind of facts that we are, you know, reporting, if you will, inside the island. to allow them to make the decision, an independent, educated decision as to their future. >> host: this is c-span's "communicators" program, our guest carlos garcia-perez, matt lee of the associated press is our guest reporter. i just want to follow up on mr. lee's question, mr. garcia, about the jamming. how sophisticated are our methods, and how sophisticated are the cuban methods to prevent broadcast reaching the island? >> guest: i'll answer the following way. when i first got there, my impression was they knew who was going to pass the ball, who was going to catch the ball, who was going to run the ball. right?

i don't think they know that anymore, and it's precisely one of the things we've focused on. very focused on traction missions. they still -- transmissions. they still try to jam us, they still know some of our frequencies, depending on the time of day, on the atmosphere. but, for example, through text messages and e-mail we know we can deliver a lot of news to our audience, and we do that constantly. >> host: what do you find based on the feedback that you get, limited as it may be or not limited. what is the most popular programming that you have? is it sports? >> guest: sports is very popular, the news is very -- they really want to hear the news. but we have to put it in context or perspective. to listen or to watch the martis in cuba is a crime. so we would talk about this in our station all the time. we have to be damn good so somebody can take the risk. so the sports is very popular, and our news which has come up on the focus groups repeatedly is something that's very popular. >> host: okay. let's take a look at one of your

newscasts. let's look at this, and then we'll have you talk to us about it. ♪ [speaking spanish] spur spanish. [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] >> host: okay. we can see the lead story there was about the pope, but if you would explain that story to us, we'll keep watching the video here a little bit. >> guest: sure. i can explain the show. i can't remember exactly the news piece. >> host: sure. >> guest: the show is, we're providing the news of 30 days -- of seven days and 30 minutes. and this xx mat is very -- format is very appealable

because in 30 minutes they can know what's going on in seven days, and there's a lot of stuff going on in cuba, i mean, you have to eat every day. how are you going to feed your family. so this is very convenient. in 30 minutes they can get, as you can see, good production values, a good show, and we keep you up-to-date on what's going on in the world. >> host: so it's a little different than voa or, perhaps, alhurra which broadcasts events about the u.s. into these other countries. you're broadcasting news about cuba into cuba, is that correct? >> guest: correct. but we also report news about the united states. it's very important that we do that. but more so than that, we also broadcast news from latin america and then the rest of the world because we think it's very important for our audience to understand that there are countries that are sovereign and free that can -- and democratic. and there's a future. you know, we want to insert our

audience into the economic world again, you know? the relationship within cuba and the united states was, there's a democracy there, it's a no-brainer, right? they're 90 miles away. but we also want to inform them what's going on in the rest of the world because i think, we think it's something important. i mean, it's a global village now, right? it's not about -- >> host: what would you say the percentage of cuba news is in your broadcasts as opposed to news from -- >> guest: that is the priority. as much as we can get. >> host: and how do you get it? >> guest: we get it, you know, this is not because i'm here for a long time. we have relationships with people inside the island who report to us different incidents that are going on. let me tell you, more people are calling in and telling us about facts and news that are happening inside the island. so it's almost like a citizens' base news gathering. >> host: i understand there has been instances in which the cuban government has planted

wild stories with, with radio and tv marti which has been reported as news, events that were not true. the gao report that we talked about earlier from, again, this was two years ago, made mention of some standards that were not quite up to par. one, have those problems that the gao identified been addressed and, second, how do you respond to the cuban government's claim that sometimes your stations are, perhaps, a bit gullible in reporting things that they've made up? >> guest: first of all, we adhere to very strict journalism standards. you're a journalist, and you're a journalist, so you know what that means. double sourcing the reports. in an environment like cuba, it is very tough. but we -- and i come from the outside. i sat in those editorial meetings. they really make a good effort to get it done.

and they don't air it unless they have confirmation. so that's, that's the answer to one of your questions. the planting of the news, we had one in february. someone called the station on saturday night and said that he was an agent. we have nothing to hide. all he reported was the alleged false reports -- [speaking spanish] who as we all know every sunday they come out, they're doing a great job, right? well, it's going to happen. that's the type of environment that our audience works. they don't know who their neighbor is. they don't know their neighbor's a state security agent. so we have to be very careful. that's a price we pay. we're very careful with it. we don't hide it, i'm sorry, when he came out and said i'm agent iowa meal owe, i'll never forget it, i said, put his recording on the web site. people should know that. >> host: is any of your news

that you broadcast about cuba pro-castro? is it all anti-castro? is there balance in there, or does it veer towards propaganda? >> caller: that's a good question. it's very difficult to report on something good happening on the island. that's what they supposed get from the cuban government all the time. everything is fine, cuba's the greatest in the world. we're not propaganda. we give 'em hard news, and when something good happens and i underline when, we'll provide that. they can rely on us to get truthful and objective information. >> host: do you think that radio and tv marti should be available to u.s. citizens to listen to? >> guest: it's available through the internet now, you know? it's available through the internet now. i mean, that's a -- you know, that's kind of difficult because the change, there's so much change in communication and the

distribution of content. you know, radio and tv marti's not focused on the u.s., you know? the more audience we get the better, right? but we really focus on the island, and that's what -- you know, every morning we wake up and say how are we going to deliver this message to the island, how are we going to get the news, the programs into the island? >> host: what's your background? >> guest: i was a trial lawyer for over 20 years. >> host: where? >> guest: san juan, puerto rico. this call came -- >> host: were you politically active in the democratic party? >> guest: i was active in the democratic party, but i was very activity in terms of the future cuba. >> host: now, are you cuban? >> guest: i was born in miami, i grew up in puerto rico, so you take your pick. [laughter] so the call came, we've got this issue, are you willing to help us? i said, sure. i moved my family in december of last year to miami, and i'm having a wonderful time.

this is a very gratifying job. i really appreciate the opportunity, and i, you know, we have a great board of the dpg. they supported, you know, everything that we're doing, and, you know, this has been tremendous. >> host: well, one of the issues, very quickly, about the broadcasting board of governors is potentially moving radio tv marti to washington making it more part of a whole rather than a separate entity. what do you think about that? >> guest: well, the strategy now that bbg is to move our operations close closer to our audience, right? so as i understand the strategy now is the martis are going to become front and center of, or the hub of the latin american strategy for the bbg. we're focused on cuba, very much focused on cuba, but we're also going to do some sharing with voa atlanta which we're already doing, and it's working out great. >> host: mr. lee.

>> host: i'm just wondering if i could ask a question about a specific case, and that's the case of alan gross, the american contractor who's been imprisoned, espionage charges in part for trying to connect the cuban-jewish community with the internet. how has that played into your reporting, if at all? is this a topic that you cover often? it's become quite a cause celebre not just in the cuban community, but also in the jewish community. >> guest: sure. mr. alan gross is in jail, and, you know, he was tried -- you know, and i come from, i have a legal background, and i've never seen an appeal or a trial go so fast. you know, we're very conscious of it. we follow it, you know, we don't talk about it all the time because we're not propaganda, you know? we've got to give news. but we're very aware of it, and we try to obtain as much facts as we can on the case. >> host: okay. and then just getting back to the broader question of the bbg and radio tv marti, along with the other bbg components,

alhurra, voa, we're looking at a very, very difficult budget situation coming up. no agency is likely to escape. i presume that you would argue that the bbg -- that radio and television marti are worth the investment. how will you, how can you demonstrate that to members of congress outside of the anti-castro, the fervent anti-castro lawmakers who will support anything that is designed to subvert the regime, how do you convince them that your service is necessary and is good for u.s. foreign policy or good for the cuban people? >> guest: that's a very good question. one of the things that i did since i got here and it's part of the bbg strategy, i've met with numerous senators and representatives on the hill not only, you know, the cuban-americans that give us

great support because i think the work that we're doing at the martis needs to get out. and i to that very -- i'm in washington twice, you know, yeah, like every week. they think it's every day, but it's almost every week. and i'm getting, you know, i'm getting the word out there, you know? i used to defend clients. i don't need to defend the martis. they're a valuable asset for the united states. we're doing great work there not because i'm there, we have great professionals that were there before i got there. it's really an honor and a privilege to belong to that organization and to lead it. i have no issue defending our budget. i actually think once i have all the efficiencies in place and i have a better understanding and more breakthroughs in delivering the content, that we might need more money, you know? because i think it's that valuable. so -- >> host: in our discussions with alhurra and voa, they talked a lot about social media. is that available in cuba, and

have you started to use it as well? >> guest: it is. it's limited. i don't want to say it's, you know, very limited. there are some bloggers, there are some facebook activity, there's twitter activity. we have found out about arrests and events through text messaging and twitter. so it's, they're using it more. there's still restrictions to get into the internet, it's still an issue. but what we try to do since we're a multimedia platform, we try to know that our radio listeners understand what a blogger is. because they need to understand that it's out there. they need to understand what, you know, facebook is, what twitter is. text messaging. so we have shows also where we teach our audience, look, this is how you tweet, this is how you send a text message to the outside world. so, you know, we're very active on the new media. >> host: and we have time for one more question. >> host: sure, i just -- how do you see the future of radio tv marti?

numerous administrations, many since the 1960s have kind of gone broke waiting for the castro regime to go to, to fall into the caribbean, and it hasn't yet. but eventually, this is going to happen. do you foresee a future for radio tv marti after a post-castro cuba, say there is a democracy, are you building an audience now that you think you can leverage once there is a democracy in cuba, that you could become, you know, the most popular television and radio media outlet in a free, democratic cuba? >> guest: you just expressed the way we see the future of the martis better than i'm going to. >> host: okay. so you're not going to shut down the second -- >> guest: no. he's been dying since before i was conceived. so we have to be patient here. there's a lot of change going on on the island, i think very positive change, and we're reporting it. we're very hopeful that something positive will happen soon. >> host: carlos