AIPS Chief Slams Media Usurpers, Powermongers

BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – The President of International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Mr Gianni Merlo, has warned against allowing power mongers, riffraff and their corrupt sponsors to take over the media world in pursuit of their evil agenda.

Merlo said the world must unite and stand against disreputable elements out to silence the unaligned media and promote selfish interests.

“Every day, we must clash with those who do not accept free and independent journalism, pushing back against lobbyists that cannot afford the truth to circulate undisturbed, who use their power to silence an unaligned media”, he said

In a speech to mark the 2019 World Sports Journalists Day celebration, the AIPS boss said journalism as a profession should not be left in the hands of usurpers that are daily massing themselves on the social media space for opportunism and self-serving goals.

According to him, “Those who have a tight grip on power, hand in hand with the great social media gurus, want to convince the public that journalists can be replaced by anyone; that the profession does not exist any longer, because everyone can be a journalist. They want us to become timid and resigned peons of information.” 

Merlo, in a presentation titled: “Let’s fight those who want to silence an unaligned media”, said it has become imperative to urgently reflect on what the “future will be if we do not react to the attacks that come at us from many quarters.”

He said though there are no issues about people populating the media industry, decorum and professionalism should be the watchword for stakeholders and operators in the sector.

“Of course, everyone can become a journalist, but so too can everyone become a surgeon, or a scientist. If first they study and apply themselves in order to enter the profession, or propose research.  So too, it is for journalism: it is necessary to study, develop intellectual honesty, practice in the field. There is no improvisation”, the AIPS President said

He explained that AIPS is focused and all out to “defend the transparency of sport, which has great social value”, adding; “We must not be afraid, because fighting corruption in sport means defending civil society.”

Merlo said the world must have the right attitude, appreciate and see sports in the right perspective, because “Sport is also education, not just muscular exercises.”