Fidel Castro defends Cuba's state-controlled press

[Zorro]

HAVANA – Fidel Castro defended Cuba's government-controlled press Friday, arguing that news coverage is manipulated by those wealthy enough to finance newsgathering even in countries guaranteeing press freedom.

In a column posted on a state Web site, the 82-year-old ex-president wrote that "today, only through gigantic investments can you provide centers that produce the news for the whole planet."

"And only those who manage them decide what gets reported and how it gets reported," he said.

In Cuba, all television, radio, newspapers, magazines and publishing houses are state-owned, and severe limits on private ownership and enterprise ban competing with official propaganda...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090509/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_castro_1