Mediating Transition in Afghanistan, 2001-2004
Austin: University of Texas at Austin, Doctoral Thesis (2005), x, 294 pp.
Contains bibliogr. pp. 275-293
"This dissertation examines international aid in support of Afghan media from fall 2001 to fall 2004 as a case study to interrogate the notion of “media transition” and its underlying assumptions. It examines how development organizations such as the United Nations, bilateral aid agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, and non-governmental agencies created the institutional structures that define and support the practice of media transition. It analyzes how the nascent Afghan state media institutions and non-governmental organizations dedicated to media reconstruction negotiated and mobilized the discourse of media transition to further their own aims. It also analyzes how changing political considerations, media production and dissemination outlets, and media producers’ own sense of mission affected the production of a series of radio programs designed to promote Afghan political transition. This dissertation argues that democracy should not be treated as a self-evident goal for media transitions, but should be viewed as a discursive process that shares many of the same concerns as development communications, and that mobilizes a transnational public sphere." (Abstract)
INTRODUCTION, 1
Media as a Part of International Reconstruction Efforts -- A Brief History of Nation-building in Afghanistan -- A Roadmap of the Study
1 THEORIZING MEDIA TRANSITIONS, 20
Media Transitions: Defining the Field -- Mining Development Communications for the Study of Media -- Merging Literatures: An Approach to the Study of Media Transitions
2 STUDYING MEDIA TRANSITION IN AFGHANISTAN, 71
The Case Study Approach -- Examining Institutional Constructions -- Analyzing Discursive Formations -- Considering Production Practices -- Limitations of the Study Methodology
3 THE INSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 100
Media for Development: Advancing State Agendas -- Media for Propaganda: Destabilizing the State
4 THE DISCURSIVE FORMATION OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 151
The International Community and Humanitarian Aid -- The UN and Public Information Needs -- The Afghan State and Cultural Policy -- Media NGOs, Political Events, and Press Freedom
5 THE PRACTICE OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 196
Disseminating Knowledge and Modeling Behavior: The ELJ Radio Soap Operas -- Structuring the Voice of the People: The CLJ Vox Pops -- Speaking to the World: CLJ and Presidential Elections Vox Pops
6 IMPLICATIONS OF THE CASE OF AFGHAN MEDIA TRANSITION, 242
A Review of Key Findings -- Theoretical Implications and New Areas of Research
Media as a Part of International Reconstruction Efforts -- A Brief History of Nation-building in Afghanistan -- A Roadmap of the Study
1 THEORIZING MEDIA TRANSITIONS, 20
Media Transitions: Defining the Field -- Mining Development Communications for the Study of Media -- Merging Literatures: An Approach to the Study of Media Transitions
2 STUDYING MEDIA TRANSITION IN AFGHANISTAN, 71
The Case Study Approach -- Examining Institutional Constructions -- Analyzing Discursive Formations -- Considering Production Practices -- Limitations of the Study Methodology
3 THE INSTITUTIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 100
Media for Development: Advancing State Agendas -- Media for Propaganda: Destabilizing the State
4 THE DISCURSIVE FORMATION OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 151
The International Community and Humanitarian Aid -- The UN and Public Information Needs -- The Afghan State and Cultural Policy -- Media NGOs, Political Events, and Press Freedom
5 THE PRACTICE OF MEDIA TRANSITION, 196
Disseminating Knowledge and Modeling Behavior: The ELJ Radio Soap Operas -- Structuring the Voice of the People: The CLJ Vox Pops -- Speaking to the World: CLJ and Presidential Elections Vox Pops
6 IMPLICATIONS OF THE CASE OF AFGHAN MEDIA TRANSITION, 242
A Review of Key Findings -- Theoretical Implications and New Areas of Research
