AIPS present at media workshop organised by Qatar Olympic Academy

AIPS lecturer Martin Mazur speaks during his presentation at Qatar Olympic Academy.

DOHA, March 30, 2018 - With a mixed audience of journalists, media consultants and people working in different bodies of the sports industry, Qatar Olympic Academy organised a five-day media workshop in Doha, held by AIPS lecturers Martin Mazur and Raed Abed, and packed with theoretical and practical lessons.

In the first two days, Argentinian journalist Martin Mazur, with over two decades of experience writing for publications from Argentina, the UK, Italy and Germany, first spoke about “media coordination in a mega event”, with the sights set on Russia 2018, and the values that make a good journalist stand out: preparation against improvisation, and why talent is not always enough.

In the second day, he covered the importance of social media, the value of metrics and how to deal with fake news.

Later on, professor Raed Abed, news presenter from Bein Sports and part of AIPS Asia, spoke about effective communication skills in front of the camera, with practical lessons on how to take part of a press conference or in a TV studio.

“It was a very interesting workshop and we wish to thank AIPS for its collaboration,” said Dr. Ali Bakri, Qatar Olympic Academy’s head of the sports development department. All attendants received a diploma after completing the five-day course.

AIPS Sport Media Awards. Mazur also emphasised the importance of the upcoming of AIPS Sport Media Awards, which will become the first international prize for sports journalists, photographers and video producers. “The profession is going through a number of changes and difficult scenarios in many countries. However, when it comes to writing a story or making a video, those who emerge as leaders are the ones that are capable of leaving the difficult scenario aside and focusing on the quality of their work, despite the circumstances.

“There’s no such thing as First World media. Everyone now has the power to become First World media, by doing outstanding reporting even if they have a sports blog or work for a small local newspaper, and these Awards offer equal chances to everybody,” Mazur said.

“Seeking for sport media excellence is something that we must never forget. And unfortunately, this is not always the case. We are forgetting to praise our colleagues when they present a good story, we do not give enough credit to the ones that came with a scoop. That’s why AIPS Sport Media Awards are an invaluable addition to the profession, because they are meant to be a celebration of the best sport storytellers from around the world, giving credit for what they’ve done, and at the same time inspiring many others to follow the same road,” he continued.

Quality vs. quantity. “Right now, quality and quantity are often mistaken for each other, and while the journalists must always to try to produce creative, distinctive and high-quality content, publishers and broadcasters also need to understand that in the battle of quantity vs. quality, quality must always prevail,” Mazur exposed.

“In the past years, with the irruption of a new model of online reporting, this was sometimes forgotten. Rather than writing an extraordinary piece every day, journalists were asked to write several different articles, shorter, less interesting, just for the sake of quantity. Fortunately, clickbait is now retreating and less backed by advertisers, and the difference of quality is what really makes a media outlet, and a journalist, more followed and respected,” he added.

With simultaneous translation into Arabic, Mazur concluded: “At the same time, a competitive mindset is what makes the good professionals to adapt quicker and take advantage of the new technologies. If someone does not want to adapt, then there will be another taking over his or her place. Sometimes, the journalists want to adapt, but the media outlet they work for are lost in time, or vice-versa. A World Cup is always the best test to understand the new media world."

AIPS Sport Media Awards are a bridge to the future of sport journalism and a celebration of the best sport storytellers from around the world. Submissions for professionals are free and open until September 17, 2018. For more information visit www.aipsawards.com