Copyright (c) 2026 Inamullah Miakhel

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Impact of Television Content on the Cultural Perspectives of Youth in Afghanistan: A Case Study, Jalalabad City
Corresponding Author(s) : Inamullah Miakhel
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities,
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): January
Abstract
This study examines the perceived influence of television content on the cultural perspectives of youth in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Television remains a key medium shaping cultural awareness and social values, particularly in a context where media expansion intersects with strong cultural and religious sensitivities. The study aimed to examine television watching habits and assess perceived positive and negative cultural influences. A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. The target population consisted of youth residing in Jalalabad City, and a sample of 385 participants was determined using Cochran’s formula. Data were collected using a researcher-developed structured questionnaire through convenience sampling, resulting in a male-only and relatively educated sample. Reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha (positive impact = 0.763; negative impact = 0.870). Data were analyzed using SPSS 27. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a weak but significant negative association between television watching time and perceived positive cultural influence (ρ = −0.186, p < .01), while no significant association was found with perceived negative influence. Kruskal–Wallis test results indicated that perceived positive effects slightly increased with age, whereas perceived negative effects showed minimal variation across age groups, with no significant differences across education levels. Overall, the findings suggest that television content is generally perceived as positively associated with youth cultural awareness and values, while perceived negative influences remain limited. However, the cross-sectional design, male-only sample, and non-probability sampling limit the generalizability of the findings.
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- Anderson, C. A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L. R., Johnson, J. D., Linz, D., … & Wartella, E. (2003). The influence of media violence on youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4(3), 81–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2003.pspi_1433.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2003.pspi_1433.x
- Auzarmi, Z. K. (2024). An Analysis of Afghan Broadcast Media News Orientation Based on Galtung’s Theory: A Study of ToloNews Programs. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(1), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.10
- Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.
- Daqiq, B., & Hashemi, A. (2021). Attitude of Afghan youths on watching foreign dubbed serials: A case study of Takhar University, Afghanistan. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 7(2), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.874101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.874101
- DataReportal. (2025). Digital 2025: Afghanistan. DataReportal / We Are Social. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-afghanistan
- Devadas, M. B., & Ravi, B. K. (2013). Cultural impact of television on urban youth — An empirical study. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2(8), 43–52.
- GeoPoll. (2024). Afghanistan media audience landscape. Link
- Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M., & Signorielli, N. (2002). Growing up with television: Cultivation processes. In J. Bryant & D. Zillmann (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 43–67). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410602428-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410602428-7
- Haideri, Z. (2015). Guide to television program production. Kabul, Afghanistan: Azam Publications.
- Hatef, A. (2024). The representation of Afghans in the American sitcom: Stereotype, visibility and cultural reception. Journal of Popular Culture Studies (or similar journal), 2024. 10.1080/10646175.2024.2409087.
- Human Rights Watch. (2021, October 1). Afghanistan: Taliban severely restrict media. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/10/01/afghanistan-taliban-severely-restrict-media
- JX Fund. (2024). Afghanistan media landscape: Television reach and consumption. jx-fund.org
- Maihanyar, S. (2024). Television’s role in environmental awareness: A study of citizens’ perceptions in three northern provinces of Afghanistan. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, (2024). https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.5
- Nielsen. (2025, June 17). Streaming reaches historic TV milestone, eclipses combined broadcast and cable viewing for first time. Link
- Popal, H., Rohya, M., & Tayid, N. A. (2023). The effects of violence-contented TV serials and programs on the behavior of the students of Kandahar University (male and female). Academic Research in Educational Sciences, 4(3), 484–496. Link
- Qadir, M. I., & Jullandhry, S. (2020). Impact of TV violence on aggression of youth; A comparative analysis of male and female students of Lahore. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies, 6(2), 549–556. DOI:10.26710/jbsee.v6i2.1180. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26710/jbsee.v6i2.1180
- Rehman, A. (2023). Cultural effects of Turkish TV dramas on youth: A case study of Hazara University Mansehra. Print, Radio, TV and Film Studies, 4, 11–21. https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67.
- Riaz, S. (2019). Influence of foreign TV programs on fashion, lifestyle and language of youth. (unpublished/educational report). Link
- Saroukhani, B. (2003). Sociology of Communication. Tehran, Iran: Ettela’at Institute.
- Sekandari, G. G., & Afkhami, H. (2024). A comparative study of television policymaking in Afghanistan from 1383 to 1400. [Journal article]. 10.22085/javm.2024.218831.
- Shahzadi, R., & Ahmad, J. (2018). Examining global media influence: Understanding the impact on Pakistani culture. Journal of Policy Options, 1(4), 141–152. https://resdojournals.com/index.php/jpo/article/view/39.
- Straubhaar, J. D. (1991). Beyond media imperialism: Asymmetrical interdependence and cultural proximity. Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 8(1), 39–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295039109366779 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15295039109366779
- ur Rehman, A. (2023). Cultural Effects of Turkish TV Dramas on Youth: A Case Study of Hazara University Mansehra. Print, Radio, TV and Film Studies, 4, 11-21. https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67
- Wahidi, P. D. M. (2019). Television program production. Khost, Afghanistan: Sheikh Zayed University, Faculty of Journalism.
- Zirak, R., Miakhel, I., & Rokhan, R. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Learning Process of Computer Science Students at Nangarhar University. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 39-52. DOI:10.62810/jssh.v2i2.30 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v2i2.30
References
Anderson, C. A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L. R., Johnson, J. D., Linz, D., … & Wartella, E. (2003). The influence of media violence on youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4(3), 81–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2003.pspi_1433.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2003.pspi_1433.x
Auzarmi, Z. K. (2024). An Analysis of Afghan Broadcast Media News Orientation Based on Galtung’s Theory: A Study of ToloNews Programs. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(1), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.10
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.
Daqiq, B., & Hashemi, A. (2021). Attitude of Afghan youths on watching foreign dubbed serials: A case study of Takhar University, Afghanistan. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 7(2), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.874101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.874101
DataReportal. (2025). Digital 2025: Afghanistan. DataReportal / We Are Social. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-afghanistan
Devadas, M. B., & Ravi, B. K. (2013). Cultural impact of television on urban youth — An empirical study. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2(8), 43–52.
GeoPoll. (2024). Afghanistan media audience landscape. Link
Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M., & Signorielli, N. (2002). Growing up with television: Cultivation processes. In J. Bryant & D. Zillmann (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 43–67). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410602428-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410602428-7
Haideri, Z. (2015). Guide to television program production. Kabul, Afghanistan: Azam Publications.
Hatef, A. (2024). The representation of Afghans in the American sitcom: Stereotype, visibility and cultural reception. Journal of Popular Culture Studies (or similar journal), 2024. 10.1080/10646175.2024.2409087.
Human Rights Watch. (2021, October 1). Afghanistan: Taliban severely restrict media. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/10/01/afghanistan-taliban-severely-restrict-media
JX Fund. (2024). Afghanistan media landscape: Television reach and consumption. jx-fund.org
Maihanyar, S. (2024). Television’s role in environmental awareness: A study of citizens’ perceptions in three northern provinces of Afghanistan. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, (2024). https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v1i1.5
Nielsen. (2025, June 17). Streaming reaches historic TV milestone, eclipses combined broadcast and cable viewing for first time. Link
Popal, H., Rohya, M., & Tayid, N. A. (2023). The effects of violence-contented TV serials and programs on the behavior of the students of Kandahar University (male and female). Academic Research in Educational Sciences, 4(3), 484–496. Link
Qadir, M. I., & Jullandhry, S. (2020). Impact of TV violence on aggression of youth; A comparative analysis of male and female students of Lahore. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies, 6(2), 549–556. DOI:10.26710/jbsee.v6i2.1180. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26710/jbsee.v6i2.1180
Rehman, A. (2023). Cultural effects of Turkish TV dramas on youth: A case study of Hazara University Mansehra. Print, Radio, TV and Film Studies, 4, 11–21. https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67.
Riaz, S. (2019). Influence of foreign TV programs on fashion, lifestyle and language of youth. (unpublished/educational report). Link
Saroukhani, B. (2003). Sociology of Communication. Tehran, Iran: Ettela’at Institute.
Sekandari, G. G., & Afkhami, H. (2024). A comparative study of television policymaking in Afghanistan from 1383 to 1400. [Journal article]. 10.22085/javm.2024.218831.
Shahzadi, R., & Ahmad, J. (2018). Examining global media influence: Understanding the impact on Pakistani culture. Journal of Policy Options, 1(4), 141–152. https://resdojournals.com/index.php/jpo/article/view/39.
Straubhaar, J. D. (1991). Beyond media imperialism: Asymmetrical interdependence and cultural proximity. Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 8(1), 39–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295039109366779 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15295039109366779
ur Rehman, A. (2023). Cultural Effects of Turkish TV Dramas on Youth: A Case Study of Hazara University Mansehra. Print, Radio, TV and Film Studies, 4, 11-21. https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.71016/prtfs/ffr58j67
Wahidi, P. D. M. (2019). Television program production. Khost, Afghanistan: Sheikh Zayed University, Faculty of Journalism.
Zirak, R., Miakhel, I., & Rokhan, R. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Learning Process of Computer Science Students at Nangarhar University. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 39-52. DOI:10.62810/jssh.v2i2.30 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v2i2.30
Accepted 2026-01-31
Published 2026-01-31