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Media and conflict Afghanistan as a relative success story

Is the media getting it right in post- conflict zones?

Authors: Bajraktari, Y.; Parajon, C.
Publisher: United States Institute of Peace

Full text of document

Focusing on Afghanistan, this briefing paper discusses the key issues on relating to media and conflict. It looks at the role of the international media, government communication and concludes with some key lessons in addition to policy implications for Afghanistan.

The authors argue that the development of media in post-Taliban Afghanistan has been relatively successful in establishing free and responsible expression despite the lack of electricity, absence of viable media outlets during the Taliban regime, and a conservative religious society that subordinates women. However, Afghanistan’s media development remains incomplete. Since it still faces many challenges, the international community must continue to assist and support it.

Key policy implications for Afghanistan include:

  • reconstruction missions must remain engaged with the government several years after the initial capacity to communicate is developed
  • legislation on the books is not enough. Requisite institutions, as well as oversight mechanisms, must be in place to ensure that the national government cannot rescind these freedoms as easily as it grants them
  • the international press corps that reports in post-conflict areas has an ongoing responsibility to collaborate with the reconstruction mission. They can play a watchdog role in these societies and provide assistance to local media.

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