Mediated public diplomacy: US and Taliban relations with Pakistani media

This article provides a unique perspective on US-Pakistan and Taliban-Pakistan media relations in the context of the regional war on terror. Based on mediated public diplomacy and news construction literature, the authors explore some of the key challenges and opportunities that both sides face as they aim to influence Pakistani media coverage and win the political support of the Pakistani people. Eighteen online interviews with Pakistani media practitioners explore their perceptions of wartime media relations involving five main categories: US-Pakistani media relations, Taliban-Pakistani media relations, Taliban/extremist groups' understanding of Pakistani news routines, US officials' understanding of Pakistani news routines, and social media/internet as sources of information for Pakistani journalists. The study's key findings are discussed in the context of wartime media relations and mediated public diplomacy.