Kefajat Hamidi

This study examines the evolving public sphere in Afghanistan, which has been profoundly shaped by the processes of mediatisation, transnationalisation, platformisation and segmentation. The research focuses on both traditional actors (classical media) and emerging communicators (digital activists) who are influencing and redefining this space. The study highlights the dynamic interaction between Afghanistan and its global diaspora, analysing how exiled media actors use digital platforms to sustain public discourse on Afghanistan. Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s media structures have undergone significant changes. Traditional media outlets face severe restrictions, while exiled journalists and media actors have turned to online platforms to maintain an independent public sphere. This paper explores how digital networks facilitate new forms of transnational public engagement, creating a hybrid space where voices from inside Afghanistan and the diaspora intersect. Through an exploratory approach, this study maps communication structures that bridge the old and the new, and reveals how media actors in exile are adapting to new challenges. It critiques previous research that has focused primarily on journalism and press freedom, overlooking the complex interplay between traditional and new media. By examining how digitisation and migration are reshaping the public sphere in Afghanistan, this research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of communication processes in fragile states and transnational contexts.

This study is written in Persian. A shorter English version is planned for the near future.

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