A statement signed by Mr. Giani Merlo, President of AIPS and copied to the GNA Sports to mark the International Day of the Sports Journalists, said sports journalists must come together to fight those who want to silence an unaligned media.

“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,” the statement said.

“We are here to defend the transparency of sports, which has great social value. We must not be afraid, because fighting corruption in sport means defending civil society.”

He said journalism was a profession which didn’t require improvisation, but was necessary for those involved to “study, develop intellectual honesty, and practice in the field”.

International Day of the Sports Journalists Day is celebrated on July 2, to mark the services of sports journalists for the promotion of sports.

This day has been earmarked as the official day of celebration because of its significance, as it marked birth date of AIPS at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

AIPS was established in the year 1924 while Olympic Games took place in Paris and emphasized on strengthening the companionship, bonding and liking and disliking between sports journalists all over the globe.

International Day of the Sports Journalist is celebrated to urge members of the sporting media to strive for excellence in their professional work.

Practitioners are expected to grab hold of every opportunity to use sports as a vehicle for world peace, and to be fair and impartial goal.