Yes — full-time journalists for news organisations are authorised.
Authorising regulation: 31 CFR §515.561 — Journalistic activity
Authorises travel by full-time journalists employed by news-gathering organisations and by supporting broadcast / technical staff. Freelancers must demonstrate a regular publishing track record. Cuba separately requires a journalist visa (D-6) issued by MINREX — the U.S. OFAC authority does not waive Cuban-side accreditation.
Important: Educational decision aid, not legal advice. CACR (31 CFR Part 515) and the State Department’s Cuba Restricted & Prohibited Accommodations Lists change periodically — verify before booking, and keep full-time-schedule + transaction records for five years per §515.601.
When to retain counselHide
For any high-stakes trip — particularly journalism (§515.561), business travel, group people-to-people travel (§515.565), or anything involving transactions with Cuban government counterparties — retain qualified U.S. sanctions counsel before booking. The CRL changes intra-administration, the CPAL between our refreshes, and OFAC enforcement priorities can shift without notice.