Foreign Donor Support to the Afghan Media 2002-2010

Abstract

This thesis examines the development of the media in Afghanistan 2002-2010 and in particular the impact of international assistance to the sector – funding, training and experts – in the post-Taliban period. The research was primarily qualitative, consisting of a survey of local media workers and longer interviews with some key players. The thesis argues that foreign donor support for media development in post-conflict societies can only work when key aspects of a democratic system are already in place and there is national security. It also argues that foreign support for the media in fragile societies like Afghanistan needs to be targeted, it needs to be in place for many years, and to be primarily focused on creating a viable non-state media sector.

Keywords: Afghanistan Media Journalism Conflict Development Pakistan ISAF UN Internews BBC IWPR