In this presentation, I will trace the contentious and celebratory history of almost 100 years of public broadcasting in Afghanistan. From the Great Game to the Cold War to the War on Terror, how have public broadcasting served the interests of a diverse Afghan population, ruling elites, and/or foreign interests? In particular I am interested in the moments that the medium of broadcasting became a platform for talented Afghan musicians and intellectuals to represent and support popular movements, progressive reforms, and social change. In 1923 King Amanullah Khan launched Radio Kabul, the first incarnation of Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), with German and Russian technology. One of the first transmissions to hit the airwaves was a recounting of his victory in the Third Anglo-Afghan War, also known as the War of Independence, thus ending British control. The next decade saw the fledgling new media technology interrupted and stalled as Islamists funded by the British fought to overthrow the monarchy. From the 1950s to the 1970s RTA experienced unprecedented growth as King Zahir Shah funneled vast resources to expand the reach and capabilities of RTA in order to institute his modernization programs. During this “golden era” Radio Television Afghanistan promoted diverse artists and intellectuals from across genders, ethnicities, races, and religions. These early radio and TV pioneers, such as Farida Anwari, Ustad Mahwash, and Dr. Akram Osman who became national icons represented both a challenge to the status quo and were supported by it. In the 1980’s with the Soviet Invasion and War, RTA became a mouthpiece for the Soviet’s and their Afghan supporters. After the Soviet withdrawal and the Civil War, with the rise of the Taliban, RTA become Sharia Radio and banned all artistic and cultural programs with the exception of their own brand of Islamic dictates. Today during the US War of Terror in Afghanistan, RTA is struggling to represent the diverse publics of Afghanistan, while appeasing its foreign funders.