By Circles Robinson
HAVANA TIMES – Back in January I asked our readers to answer a few questions about our publication now in its 16th year. So far 30+ of you sent in your replies. Today I want to mention some of the answers-ideas mentioned.
There is no time limit for any of you to send in your replies and any other suggestions when you have the time. After all these years I appreciate your feedback moving forward.
The following are the questions I asked and some of the reader responses:
Approximately how often do you access Havana Times?
This varied a lot. Several readers said they look at Havana Times every day, others once or twice a week and some several times in the week.
We always publish new articles daily but also try to keep the articles available on the cover of HT for several days.
With time I have adjusted the posting times, usually in the morning and then again in evening.
Do you usually access by phone or computer?
While overall stats show our readers are evenly divided between telephone and computer/tablet. However, on those answering our questions the vast majority said they access by computer.
If you ever have a problem you can’t resolve in connecting with HT, be it by smartphone or computer, let us know as we might be able to help. This also tips us off if the site is not loading properly.
Do you usually enter from an article link you receive or by opening our main page?
Here it is pretty much even between readers who enter from an email link from our subscription service with Follow it and those who go directly to our cover page. A smaller number visit by clicking on a link our Facebook page.
What do you like most of Havana Times?
Havana Times provides the reader with a balanced approach to journalism which is unavailable in Cuba and most other Latin American countries. First-hand accounts from Cuban citizens gives a realistic and truthful understanding of what is occurring specifically in this country.
I love the personal diaries for the everyday glimpse into the lives of everyday Cubans. I also appreciate the articles on what is going on in Cuba, the pulse of the people.
Gives a view of what is actually going on.
The diversity of perspectives and the timeliness of news. I consider it an important news source regarding Cuba.
Personal stories about life in Cuba.
They don’t mess around when it comes to news. They get to the point and… well… I have been able, within my limited time, to verify the veracity of some news and that naturally inspires confidence in me.
I love HT! I look at it every day, My Pastor is from Cuba, he was part of Operation Pedro Pan around 1962. The website is fine as is and easy to navigate. It is refreshing to see what is really going on in Cuba via your web site.
It’s seeing Havana in the distance. Feel Cuba from the center of Cuba. Thank you for the work of the Havana Times collaborators.
I most enjoy the “Diaries”. They not only show the changes in Cuban laws, but they show HOW those changes impact Cuban people. Over the past 7 years, I think I’ve gone through most every “Diary” so some of the articles go back a dozen years. Comparing life in Cuba a dozen years ago…with how life is impacted today…reaffirms my belief that Cuban law needs to change very, very soon.
I want to see the world through the eyes of others. HT helps me to do that.
I like that I can switch between languages and access is very user-friendly.
I like mostly like the Cuba news, I also like Nicaragua news.
The website is easy to navigate.
I prefer the photo of the day and the music choices. The world is too much with me lately, and I have to keep my anxiety level under control.
HT continues to be one of a handful of solid, reliable, and independent media projects shining its multi-colored light on importante aspects of Cuban society, aspects almost entirely absent in the official press.
A service of great value, it is read inside Cuba and outside Cuba in an English-speaking geographical area. It is shared on the networks. It is a decent job, without commitments to political sides, only with journalistic objectivity.
Open-minded independent writing on a variety of topics and from a variety of sources and writers is the thing we appreciate