77th AIPS Congress Concludes in Baku, with Focus on Challenges Facing Sports Journalism
The 77th Congress of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday after four days of discussions. Coinciding with the 90th anniversary of AIPS, which was founded in Paris in 1924, this year’s event highlighted the pressing issues affecting the global sports press.
Italian Gianni Merlo, who has led AIPS since 2006, addressed the main concerns of the sports journalism industry, noting the lack of realism among some media specialists regarding their role in the development of sports. He emphasized the importance of defending the profession with a commitment to rigor and professionalism, which he believes is essential for the industry’s future growth.
Among the key takeaways was the call for the global sports press to apply all forms of discipline to prevent further stagnation and to promote the proper development of the sector.
In a significant announcement, Uruguay was revealed as the host for the 78th AIPS Congress, which will take place in Montevideo. The organizing committee promised to go above and beyond to ensure the upcoming congress exceeds the success of the Baku event.
This year’s congress saw a record participation of 103 countries, with high-level discussions and flawless organization, aided by the involvement of Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev. The event was a major step forward in addressing the challenges faced by the sports media industry.
