"[...] Radio listening amongst young people appears to be high and most of those interviewed listen daily, usually after lunch and in the evening. The BBC and VOA are popular stations with young people as are local radio stations including Radio Azadi, Aman and Sharq. However, in cities radio competes with TV, and young people from middle and low income groups often prefer it. Young people like listening to music but are also interested in news, debate and programmes, dealing with real issues or problems that offer insight, analysis and helpful solutions. Such programmes according to local journalists, youth workers and young people are in short supply, whereas music is not. Most young people indicate strongly that they want radio to contribute to both their broad education and their schooling. They want information about Afghanistan, its history and culture, its development and place in the world. They want to know how to help themselves, their families and their country and they want to be informed in an interesting, entertaining and frank way. They also want to know how other young people live in neighbouring countries. Young men and women would like a radio programme that gives them a voice and encourages debate about issues that affect them (for example, schools in rural areas, the introduction of private education, how much study to do, examination procedures, how to get into university, available courses, marriage and job opportunities). Women say they want radio to deal with the specific problems they face in relation to their status, education, work and security. Young people want to hear provincial, district and rural perspectives, not just voices from Kabul. There are high expectations of what the media can achieve in Afghanistan in terms of improving civic behaviour, government accountability, and changing harmful cultural attitudes and practices, particularly towards young women. Young women say radio should do more to persuade and influence fathers, uncles, brothers and imams on issues relating to their rights." (Executive summary, page 4)

"This is a report of qualitative research into the aspirations of young Afghans aged 15 – 24 years and their radio listening practices. The research was conducted in March 2005 in three major locations: Jalalabad, Mazar-I-Sharif, and Balkh. The findings and recommendations in this report will help guide a group of young Afghans engaged by Media Support Partnership in Kabul, to launch a weekly radio programme called Straight Talk (ST) in September 2005. ST will be aimed at young people and aired in Dari and Pashtu. Researchers interviewed a total of 47 men and 59 women in various locations including high schools, a university campus, youth centres, a shrine and a park. Most interviewees were young people but a small number were parents and teachers. Interviews lasted for 30 – 50 minutes and researchers used a checklist of topics and questions. Individuals were selected randomly to capture a range of characteristics including ethnicity, gender, ever-attended school and never-attended school/madarassa. In terms of ethnic breakdown, the survey respondents include Pashtoons, Uzbeks, Tajiks and Peshaii speakers. In terms of socio-economic diversity, three groups are broadly represented: middle, low, and very low income." (Executive summary, page 4)