Japanese photojournalist Mika Yamamoto fought for free journalism her entire career. She was killed while working in Syria on Aug. 20 in the city of Aleppo, at the age of 45. On May 20, she was posthumously awarded the 2013 World Press Freedom Hero Award by the International Press Institute, founded at Columbia University in New York City. Her award is a testament to her accomplishments and the importance of her work.
According to witnesses, Yamamoto was targeted by Syrian government soldiers during clashes between rebel and regime forces while she was carrying out her work as a war correspondent for The Japan Press, an independent TV news provider that specializes in conflict zones.
Although Yamamoto well knew the dangers of the conflict in Syria, she continued her reporting. She had to weigh the dangers of Syria against the importance of reporting, and chose to follow her duty as a journalist.
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