• Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
• Dear friends of the African and global sports press,

On this day, 3 May 2026, World Press Freedom Day, we pay tribute to all of you – men and women, journalists and media professionals – who demonstrate courage and self-sacrifice day in, day out, to report the facts, tell the truth and keep Africa and the world at large informed.

Thanks to your professionalism, which has been evident for many years, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) is able to inform the continent and the entire world about the beauty of Olympic and sports values, report on many sports competitions, and bear witness to the conduct of athletes and the passion of African sports fans. Sport conveys a unique energy, and the press recounts its emotions with accuracy and respect.

For this, we say THANK YOU and stand with you to promote press freedom in general, and freedom of the sports press in particular, in the best possible way, under the most enabling conditions.

Press freedom is founded on democracy and justice.

We commend AIPS, the International Sports Press Association, and all African journalists. We urge all African NOCs to champion advocacy for the rights of journalists while guiding them in the discharge of their duties, to prevent conflicts within the press. We should, in our own way, endeavour to protect journalists.

The theme for this year’s edition, ‘Shaping a Future in Peace’, reminds us that sport calls for peace, builds peace and inspires peace. The African sports press must embrace this.

Olympic solidarity calls for greater love, unity and peace. This day is therefore special for you, but also for us. Together, we will build a peaceful Africa and a better world through the sports press.

Long live press freedom!

Long live the African sports press!

Mustapha BERRAF

ANOCA President

IOC Member

President of the OlympAfrica Foundation