STAYING INFORMED: AFGHAN DIASPORA'S SOURCES OF NEWS IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

This research looked at the Afghan diaspora in Peshawar: The gratification of their information needs about Afghanistan. The study's objective is to identify sources of information they access about Afghanistan, the perception the diaspora gets about their homeland, and understand actual problems in Afghanistan, which are broadcasted to the Afghan diaspora. The study aimed to draw broader themes of information the Afghan diaspora use to get from multiple sources, analyzed the contents of information, and found the perception they usually bring about their homeland after consuming content of the channels they use to rely on. The data has been collected from 100 respondents living in different parts of Peshawar. While using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the researchers have analyzed the contents of the data collected through questionnaires. The research concluded that the Afghan diasporas living in Peshawar get news and information from different sources readily available. They acquire this news through TV channels, Radio stations, newspapers, magazines, social media, and human sources. They sometimes get fake news about their homeland and the Taliban, especially after the regime change in August 2021. The study found that the content producers are especially interested in selling their content instead of giving authentic information and providing an impression that the information needs of the diaspora are gratified.