Mass Media and Public Awareness of Air Pollution in Afghanistan: A Review Study

Abstract

This study examines the role of mass media in shaping environmental awareness regarding air pollution in Afghanistan, where poor air quality poses a severe threat to public health and the environment. Despite its urgency, existing research on public perception and media influence remains fragmented. Utilizing a narrative literature review of twenty-seven pertinent empirical studies published between 2010 and 2025 across databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, this paper synthesizes regional and country-specific data on media framing and environmental communication. The findings indicate a growing research focus on media-driven environmental awareness in South and Central Asia. While mass media significantly heightens public awareness of air pollution crises, reporting tends to be episodic, focusing on immediate visibility rather than root structural causes. Furthermore, while traditional media remains dominant among broader demographics, social media has emerged as a crucial platform for youth engagement. Major limitations identified include a lack of integrated instructional approaches and minimal scientific depth in media coverage. Practically, these insights offer a framework for policymakers, media outlets, and educators to design coordinated communication strategies that promote protective behaviours and support future air quality regulations. This review provides the first systematic synthesis of regional research on this nexus, defining communication patterns and identifying critical gaps to advance environmental journalism in Afghanistan.