Havana Times, in its 18th year of daily publishing, is appealing to readers for financial support to sustain operations through 2026. The independent outlet faces rising costs without grants or paywalls. Editor Circles Robinson stresses the need for donations to cover essentials like hosting and security.
Havana Times, an independent news outlet focused on Cuba, has issued an urgent call to readers to ensure its survival in 2026. Launched in October 2008, the website has kept an open archive of all its articles free of charge, a practice now rare in media landscapes.
Editor Circles Robinson states in the appeal: "Frankly, I dislike asking for monetary help but that can’t be avoided if we want to continue." The publication relies solely on reader-donors and occasional philanthropic aid, having never received grants. Previously, Robinson got a small translation fee from two other outlets, but last year they cut back due to their own financial strains.
Though nearly all-volunteer, Havana Times faces annual expenses of about $19,000. These include hosting, servers, web services, necessary subscriptions, and vital security to prevent and address attacks. They also safeguard a large database and keep the full archive from day one accessible.
Contributors in Cuba—diary writers, journalists, photographers, and the weather forecaster—receive a very small stipend for their work. The same token amount goes to some overseas contributors. With no paywall, all articles remain free to everyone.
Donations can be made via PayPal directly or through guest checkout with credit or debit cards. Robinson ends with deep thanks for support, underscoring its role in tough times for the outlet.