"The media in Afghanistan and Pakistan has never been so large, vibrant and independent. It has attained unimaginable power and become a key player in politics and other walks of life. Media is the fourth pillar of the state and democracy in both Afghanistan and Pakistan in the true sense of the word. Earlier, it was the mainstream print and electronic media that was dominant and had assumed unprecedented importance. Now the social media is making an impact in these two neighbouring countries and often taking the lead in breaking news even if it has lesser credibility than the mainstream media. The media has tended to be overly patriotic and at times even aggressive in context of the perceived national interests of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The poor relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan affect the work of journalists. There is generally lack of awareness about each other due to the virtual absence of Afghan media in Pakistan and Pakistani media in Afghanistan." (Page 1)
Rise in Media Power, 1
Fallout on Media of Poor Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations, 3
Status of Afghan Media in Pakistan, 4
Status of Pakistani Media in Afghanistan, 7
Reasons of Information Vacuum Between Neighbours, 8
Creating Culture of Engagement – Establishing Institutional Relations Between Media Stakeholders, 9
Impact of Regional Dynamics on Afghanistan-Pakistan Media Relations – What Went Wrong, 11
Recommendations for States, Media and Civil Society, 12
Pictorial Highlights of Afghanistan – Pakistan Journalists’ Exchange Programme 2017, 15