An Analysis of Afghan Broadcast Media News Orientation Based on Galtung’s Theory: A Study of ToloNews Programs

This article examines the news reporting orientation of Afghan broadcast media, focusing on whether it prioritizes truth, people, and solutions or propaganda, elite interests, and victory narratives, potentially at the expense of national interests. It highlights the crucial responsibility of broadcast media to promote understanding of social and political issues through its essential functions: education, information, and entertainment. The study critically explores scholarly debates on broadcasting orientation and media effectiveness, using examples from Afghan broadcast media coverage of previously unexamined issues. Johan Galtung's theory serves as the theoretical framework for this investigation. The methodology employs a mixed approach, combining qualitative analysis and theory with quantitative methods to assess audience interest in specific TV channels. Data collection involved questionnaires and interview, with sample selection based on Cochran's formula and Morgan's table. SPSS software was used for data analysis, and the questionnaire's reliability was confirmed with a value of 0.9. The study hypothesizes that "Afghan broadcast media played a considerable role in positive-orientated news reporting; however, based on Johan Galtug’s theory, TOLOnews programs recently have not been a matter of concern in positive news reporting in the country." Preliminary findings suggest that Afghan broadcast media, including TOLOnews, contributes to positive coverage of events in the country.