With the satisfaction of being on the front line in the defense of the country and the achievements of the revolution, with the pen and the word as weapons in favor of the truth, the UPEC, Union of Journalists of Cuba, celebrates its sixty years of existence.

By María Josefina Arce

With the satisfaction of being on the front line in the defense of the country and the achievements of the revolution, with the pen and the word as weapons in favor of the truth, the UPEC, Union of Journalists of Cuba, celebrates its sixty years of existence.
   
It was born four years after the revolutionary triumph of January 1959, but according to its founders it was a time of necessary learning, which traced the path and the strategy to follow in a different country.
    
It was a period, they have pointed out in their memoirs, in which revolutionary journalists, loyal to their people, were actors and chroniclers of important events such as the victory over the mercenary invasion of Playa Giron and the Literacy Campaign.
   
The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, accurately defined the role of journalists when he pointed out that "He saw in the press a force of enormous importance, decisive; it is truly decisive in this struggle we are waging...".
   
And throughout these six decades the members of UPEC have waged a battle against the disinformation campaigns of the mainstream media, which have tried to hide or distort Cuba's achievements in various spheres and its spirit of solidarity.
   
And without neglecting the necessary and constant renewal, because life is transformation, and the challenge posed by new technologies, the organization that brings together this important sector of society has always had as its essence to keep the population informed of what is happening nationally and internationally.
    
An important role was played during the COVID-19 pandemic. In coordination with the health institutions, the public was kept informed at all times and the measures to be adopted to avoid contagion and the spread of the virus were made known in a timely manner.
    
But it has also had the premise of instilling values and making tools available to everyone to broaden their knowledge, a real challenge in a country where education is free and universal.
   
UPEC brings together, guides, seeks a better preparation of its members, is concerned about their needs and concerns and to be every day at the height of the transformations taking place in the country.
  
There is still much to be done to improve the work, to exercise effective criticism, to confront the bad work, which does so much damage to the advancement of the country, which, moreover, has not ceased to be in the sights of imperialism.
  
That is why UPEC not only guides and orients, but day by day wages a battle against those who seek to attack the people and the constitutional order of the country.