AIPS boss Merlo warns on changing news trends
May 04, 2015
Journalists have to adopt to fast changing trends if they are to remain relevant.
By James Bakama
Journalists have to adopt to fast changing trends if they are to remain relevant.
That was one of International Sports Press Association president Gianni Merlo’s tips to East African journalists at the USPA gala.
Merlo said new media is a thorn to traditional journalism thus the need for the latter to adjust.
Merlo, who was visiting Uganda for the first time, also called upon sports journalists to also fight corruption.
“You have to work jointly with state agencies like police and sports bodies in this fight,” noted Merlo stressing that sport’s reputation worldwide is at stake due to this vice.
He said millions stand to lose employment in the industry if this cancer that comes in form of match fixing and manipulation, is not checked.
Uganda’s Vice President Edward Sekandi not only emphasized the importance of sports as an economic venture, but also a globalisation agent.
He cited the Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao fight, which was due the following morning, as a classic example of a money making venture.
State Minister in charge of Primary Education Chrysostom Muyingo called for unity in the sports fraternity.
USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga commended the event sponsors Nile Breweries plus other partners like Standard Chartered Bank, Brussels Airlines, City Tyres and Imperial Royale Hotel. The brewers, under the Nile special brand, inject over sh120m in the annual gala.
“The first winners of the USPA gala were rewarded with plastics like basins, plates and cups. It is a different story today.”
Muwanga said USPA will soon embark on a campaign to sensitise sportsmen on alcohol and drug abuse, on top of a HIV/AIDS awareness.
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