State of opinion of novice writers on Law 162 of Social Communication

Abstract

The entry into force of Law 162 on Social Communication (2023) in Cuba has reshaped the publishing ecosystem, creating tensions between state regulation and creative autonomy that need to be analyzed from the perspective of emerging authors. In this context, the study aimed to explore the views of emerging writers at the Onelio Jorge Cardoso Center regarding this legislation. A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods approach was conducted, involving 11 writers through a structured survey administered via WhatsApp. The study assessed their knowledge of the law, their identification of its main regulatory elements, and their perceptions of its impact on the publishing sector. The data were processed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results revealed a high level of unfamiliarity with the law (72.7%); however, most participants perceived it as restrictive (81.8%), associating it with state control and limitations on the dissemination of works. The qualitative testimonies reflected disillusionment, fear of censorship, and rejection of the subordination of art to political directives, indicating that participants interpret the legislation as a supervisory mechanism that limits creative autonomy and encourages self-censorship—highlighting a gap between its rhetoric of pluralism and its practical application.