NATION : President Asks Broadcasters to Ignore Threat, Support TV Marti

President Bush today appealed to broadcasters to “stand for freedom” and support efforts to beam television broadcasts into Cuba, even though they could suffer retaliation.

Bush, in a speech to the National Assn. of Broadcasters convention, signaled his strong support for the fledgling broadcast efforts of TV Marti, which Castro began jamming as soon as it went on the air March 27. Castro has threatened to retaliate by interfering with American broadcast signals of stations in Florida.

“I do understand the concerns some of you have about this. But I also understand that you represent the very principle TV Marti exists to serve: the free flow of ideas,” the President said. “ . . . I ask you, once again, to stand for TV Marti, to stand for freedom,” Bush said.

Broadcasters, however, were skeptical of the President’s appeal. Edward O. Fritts, president of the National Assn. of Broadcasters, said, “It’s Castro’s threat of jamming AM stations that worries us.” He said that while U.S. AM radio stations are limited to 50,000 watts, “Castro has the ability to go to 1 million watts.” He said the Cubans could theoretically jam radio stations across the nation.