New Year message from the AIPS President By Gianni Merlo, AIPS President LAUSANNE, December 31, 2014 - We are saying goodbye to a positive year for our association, one in which we have achieved excellent success in the defense of our rights, and access to sources of information. However, the difficult time for our profession continues. The crisis is a burden for many media companies. For this reason it is necessary to invest in new ideas and cultures. These are principles that we emphasized during the AIPS Congress in Baku, which was a great success. Young Reporters Our projects dedicated to the Young Reporters are continuing to flourish. This year we have collaborated with SportAccord and FINA during the 3rd FINA World Aquatics Convention and FINA World Championships (25m) in Doha. Our young colleagues have shown great journalistic skill and have assimilated the AIPS philosophy of work, which is projected into the future. In 2015 we will have other important occasions for the AIPS Young Reporter Programme, beginning with the IHF World Men’s Handball Championships in Doha, a new test. This will be followed by another collaboration with SportAccord and then the first European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. We are already in contact with two other major federations for possible projects in the near future. The quality of our schools is highly appreciated and we strive to take them to a new level with each program. Radio Rights Also during this year AIPS Europe submitted a petition to the EU in defense of the rights of access to sources of information and that has been accepted and is now being examined by three Commissions. This is a very important step, defending our rights, starting from those of radio, which in recent years have gradually lost their spaces, and which must be reinstated. The petition has a value for all branches of information and for this reason it is necessary that everyone be involved in the disclosure of information regarding working conditions and access to sources denied by organizers and federations. Only by working together and standing united can we successfully defend our profession. 90 Years This year AIPS commenced the celebrations of our 90th anniversary as an association. Our continental sections have been very active. Two of them have organized continental congresses: AIPS Asia in Incheon, South Korea and AIPS Africa in Dakar, Senegal. We will continue to remember our first 90 years, until July 2, 2015, the date of birth of our association. Special Olympics and inclusion This year saw AIPS partner with Special Olympics International to become the organizations very first Global Impact Partner. The long-term strategic partnership is set to leverage the power of sports and media to build awareness and promote inclusion throughout all corners of the world. Special Olympics is a story that we will be proud to tell. Inclusion and acceptance are values that all AIPS journalists stand for and we are honoured to play a leading role in increasing the profile of this wonderful organisation. Next targets We will continue in the battle to improve access to sources, because without the ability to speak directly with the protagonists reality may appear distorted. We will continue to teach young colleagues how to prepare for the journalism of the future, a profession which will be more rooted in technology, but will require the same seriousness and application, and indeed require greater cultural insights. AIPS we will always be here to answer every request for help and to support and protect our colleagues around the world. I take this opportunity to wish all members, staff and AIPS partners a happy, healthy and successful 2015. Gianni Merlo AIPS President
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:06:57 +0000
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