Armed with her computer and a notebook that has all her data, Libia Miranda welcomes every day the thousands of visitors of Juventud Rebelde’s (JR) most important social networks. Facebook and Twitter are the interaction spaces she devotes most of her time to. The relation she has managed to establish with the users is based on an open dialogue, a swift reply to every question and very dynamic updates.   
 

With more than 15 years of work in the media, all of them in the web, Libia offered JR, in 2010, her digital experience as the first promoter of social networks dedicated entirely to this task. Media such as El Habanero –out of circulation since January 2011- and El Economista were pioneers in the use of social networks between September 2008 and February 2009. Juventud Rebelde followed shortly afterwards.

How did you tackle the challenge of being the first social network manager in Cuba?

While working for El Habanero, apart from being the webmaster, I managed the social networks. When I arrived at Juventud Rebelde, the paper already had spaces in Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, and despite the fact that I had previous experience, becoming the Manager –with capital M- was a new challenge. What to do, how and when to do it, what should be our priorities, etc. All of these required our analysis: studying the way big and experienced international media worked and adjusting the procedures and setting our strategies, adapting them on the premise that the priority should be the user. To attract new users, make them regular, listen to them, interact with them, make them clients, and develop a community where members share their interests is a hard task.

In your view, what is the difference between Facebook and Twitter? Which do you prefer?

The interaction processes are different in each; they have determined spaces, times and audiences. I have no preferences. They both allow me to interact with users in different ways and build a community which is, in the end, the biggest challenge. Twitter is a tool for immediate information, offering a continuous flow of data; Facebook is a less formal space, resembling more the way these processes are conducted in real life.  

What are your criteria to decide who you follow and who you do not?

The identification of a user allows me to make an adequate selection. I follow every person who gives me true information, and reject a spammer, a troll, or people who offer nothing to the network. I believe we can all establish relations, even when our ideas may be different, provided the debate is serious and responsible. I’m not obsessed at all with figures, but I do value the interchange

What is your opinion about the entrance of our country’s media in social networks?

The Cuban media arrived late at the social networks. There were some pioneers, as always. However, some have gained, or are gaining their space with well-defined strategies. Best examples? Juventud Rebelde, of course! Trabajadores has situated itself and is coming along, Cubadebate has done a very efficient job in such networks such as Cubasi, Cubahora. Some media in the provinces have also made progress.

Do you consider that the national journalistic strategies have been effective for these spaces?

Many people think they have been effective. Time will tell. But in some instances it is obvious they are not well structured and there is still a lot to do. It’s paramount that journalists make social networks their own; it is not enough to open an account and repeat the same thing they publish in the particular media they work for. They need to generate their own contents and make use of all the advantages the support offers which enrich the information when it is shared and there is interaction.  

One of my goals is that all journalists at Juventud Rebelde become aware of how important it is for their profession to be actively involved with the social networks. This is not an obligation, or an assigned task that will later be evaluated; it is simply a need in the present media environment. I think there is still a long way to go. I think it is relevant to commend what some journalists are doing, and I can mention Francisco Rodríguez Cruz (Paquito) from the weekly Trabajadores: he not only generates his own contents for his blog, but he also interacts with his readers, and manages his space in the social networks.   

Which have been your most rewarding experiences along these months?

There have been many. This is a demanding job that requires dedication, and time in front of the screen. Identifying users fascinates me, as well as communicating with them, learning of their interests, their proposals and suggestions.

How do you evaluate the perception the followers of Juventud Rebelde in the social networks have of Cuba and our press service?

In fact the subject Cuba is very attractive for internauts and you can find evidence in the interactions of @juventudrebelde in the social networks. Besides, there is also the fact that -although it is a generic publication- it is young and perfectly in keeping with the average age in most social networks. No doubt the binomial Cuba-youth is very interesting.  

But I think the perception the followers of Juventud Rebelde have of Cuba and our press service needs to be studied. It would be very useful for our work that such an analysis was made in several of our media.