U.S. Correspondents in Afghanistan

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the correspondents in Afghanistan who report for U.S. news agencies, most of whom are Americans. It reflects the views of more than a dozen news professionals who reported for elite news organizations on Afghanistan on how they perceived their roles. It discusses their agenda-setting power and their hegemonic role as purveyors of information to their primary and intended audience, Americans, and to the secondary audiences, such as Afghan journalists. The chapter explores these journalists’ relationship with Afghan officials and explores what they believe the future of Afghan journalism will be. The differences between the Western press and the Afghan press are explored by analyzing their coverage of the Kabul Bank corruption scandal and the mob murder of Farkhunda Malikzada.