"The religious media in Cuba currently provide the most substantial alternative to the official media, other than academic and cultural publications such as TEMAS and those of the universities and research centers. Given that the academic and cultural publications are published by institutions technically within the state sector, the religious media is, using a strict definition, the only fully autonomous media sector in Cuba, other than the independent journalists’ movement. With respect to the religious media in Cuba, it should be noted that virtually all suffer from a scarcity of resources. Most of the material resources come from abroad and are subject to government regulation and control, thereby encouraging caution on the part of churches and other religious organizations. They, as well as foreign religious donors, have been careful not to become identified with some of the dissident or oppositional sectors of civil society. Even so, the increased role of religions in responding to the socioeconomic needs of the population has expanded the credibility and influence of most religions within civil society and hence their publications. Overall, while religions and the religious media are emerging as critical elements of a revitalizing civil society, there is an understandable desire on their part not to precipitate serious conflicts with the government. While religious leaders, by and large, may have become more publicly critical of the government, this has not translated into substantial efforts on their part to directly mobilize civil society." (Conclusion, page 199-200)