The Obama Administration wants to turn Radio and TV Marti, the US-controlled broadcaster of news/information to Cuba, into a "private, non-profit" organization.

A White House official told Reuters the proposal has nothing to do with restoring diplomatic ties to the communist-ruled island; rather it's an effort to modernize the operation.

Radio and TV Marti, which is now part of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, would become a new entity with parts of Voice of America's Spanish language service.

The Miami-based operation would be received US funds as a "grantee."

Members of the Cuban-American community and their conservative backers are expected to object to the Obama scheme, fearing that it's nothing more than a sop to the Castro Government.

Congress would need to approve the Obama plan. Radio and Marti's transition from the BBG would take about two years.