Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es gibt ja schon für fast alles einen "Tag" - abgesehen von Muttertag und Vatertag. Aber es gibt z.B. einen "Tag des Baumes", einen "Tag des Windes", einen "Tag der Sonne", den "Tag der offenen Tür", den "Tag des Sports" und sogar einen "Tag des österreichischen Sekt" - und es gibt auch einen "Tag der Sportjournalisten". Und der ist heute, am 2. Juli. Denn vor 87 Jahren wurde in Paris die AIPS, also der Weltsportjournalistenverband, gegründet und deshalb ist der 2. Juli ein weltweiter "Sportjournalistentag". Lesen Sie (in englisch), welche Nachricht AIPS-Präsident Gianni Merlo uns Sportjournalisten mit auf diesen Tag gegeben hat ...
Lausanne, July 2, 2011
Dear Colleagues,
The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) was founded 87 years
ago because some enlightened colleagues saw the need to unite to defend
the principles of the sports press that at the time, still did not have a true
identity. It is our duty to continue the work that they started, especially now
that our profession is undergoing a real revolution. The advent of the
Internet will not mean more freedom unless we find the way to use this new
communication tool correctly. We need to invest in culture to better exploit
the opportunities the new technologies allow us.
We must fight against manipulation and defend our right of expression,
because our freedom of thought and criticism can help sport to grow and,
with it, the young people of the world to develop.
Ours is a social commitment. At the moment, our colleagues in Nepal have
been targeted by the authorities and it is our duty to defend their
independence. In other countries, working conditions are worsening and we
are the ones who must intervene to stem dangerous interference in the
freedom of expression. In autumn, we’ll try to bring the colleagues of Israel
and Palestine closer, because channels of dialogue have to be re-opened.
We talk the same language in sport and so we can open up a chink.
Our commitment must be total and unitary.
I extend to you all my best wishes for July 2 and wish you well in your
professional endeavours.
Gianni Merlo
AIPS President