In the heart of Banjul, The Gambia, delegates from 50 AIPS AFRICA member countries are gathering to confront a rapidly changing landscape.
At the Sir Dawda Karaba Jawara International Conference Center, sports journalists and leaders are tackling the pressures of social media, AI, and ethics, forces reshaping the foundations of media.
“The sports media is not a periphery to sports development, but an arsenal,” emphasized participants at the AIPS Africa Congress, launched by Vice President Muhammed B.S Jallow.
With ministers from Gambia, Senegal, and Ghana, and ambassadors from China and Morocco in attendance, the message is clear, sports media must evolve to stay ahead.
In East Africa, countries like Tanzania and Rwanda are showing how sports can be an economic catalyst, not just an expense.
Tanzania’s deliberate use of its league as a marketing tool has attracted investors and generated economic leverage.
Rwanda leverages sports for tourism and growth. But as media navigates this potential, threats loom: laws that “squeeze the media,” as seen in some countries, and the risk of losing credibility without robust regulations.
In contrast, The Gambia presented a progressive culture to counter threats that Uganda can borrow from.
The country has no known journalists in custody, a sign of progress, while it is moving quickly to withdraw legislation and policies that limit media operations or are seen as anti-media.
This will help anchor a robust media to advance the national development agenda.
Yet, the region faces challenges, governance gaps, infrastructure deficits.
How can sports media help? By spotlighting these issues, pushing for better regulations, and breaking mobility barriers (like tariffs hindering sports exchanges). Morocco sees sports as a tool for growth; the media can amplify this vision.
The AIPS Africa Congress aims to chart a path forward, emphasizing its central role in positioning development. Addressing ethics and innovation is seen as a weapon to advance those positions.
A new logo for AIPS AFRICA was unveiled, symbolizing this fresh push. As Uganda looks to grow its sports sector, the question is: will its media seize this arsenal to drive development?
For sports media in Africa, it’s time to confront these pressures with purpose.
