Must-see TV: Cubans marvel at rare questioning of Castro

HAVANA (AP) — Cubans were glued to their televisions on Monday, many watching in a state of shock as President Raul Castro faced tough questions from American journalists who challenged him to defend Cuba's record on human rights and political prisoners.

In a country where publicly questioning the authority of Castro and his brother and predecessor Fidel is unthinkable for most, and where the docile state-run media almost always toe the party line, the live broadcast was must-see TV.

The Cuban government and the Communist Party control nearly all media in Cuba, including TV and radio channels and print newspapers.

There are a handful of independent online outlets, though more critical ones like dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez's 14ymedio are blocked on the island — and certainly never get access to the president or other top officials.

Cuba is criticized for briefly detaining demonstrators thousands of times a year but has drastically reduced its practice of handing down long prison sentences for crimes human rights groups consider to be political.

Amnesty International said in its 2015-2016 report that it knew of no prisoners of conscience in Cuba, although a non-governmental group in Cuba that monitors human rights says it has a list of 80 behind bars and 11 more under house arrest.