Chiba's picture, taken during the popular uprising in Sudan calling for the return to civilian rule last year, showed the power of youth and art while itself possessing a "poetic" quality, the judges said.

The 34-year-old videographer and photographer, who also worked for other major news organisations in the region, was shot in his car by unknown assailants shortly after leaving his home in Aden. A security source told AFP that the armed men escaped.

Yasuyoshi Chiba’s “Straight Voice”, voted best photo of the year by the World Press Photo jury, shows a man illuminated by the light of mobile phones, reciting a poem in the middle of a group of protesters demanding a civilian regime in Khartoum, in Sudan.

The photo also won first place in the “General News – Singles” category.

The study is available in 5 languages at: https://covidinfodemiceurope.com/

This report is the result of a collaboration between independent fact checking organisations across five European countries: Agence France-Presse in France, CORRECTIV in Germany, Pagella Politica/Facta in Italy, Maldita.es in Spain and Full Fact in the UK.

Mahmud Hams wins second place in the “Single News” category

Young relatives of Alaa Hamdan attend his funeral in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza strip on October 4, 2019. At 28 years old, Alaa Hamdan was killed by Israeli fire during clashses along the Gaza border.

The photographs were taken between June and December 2019, while Hong Kong was being convulsed by huge and often violent rallies. Initially protesting a draft extradition bill, the rallies soon morphed into a popular call for democracy and police accountability.

His portfolio that earned him this award will feature in an exhibition entitled “Opposing Views” at the 2020 Visa pour l’Image festival.

Leila Macor, AFP correspondent in Miami, just won the Journalist of the Year award for Spanish media, as part of the contest of the Sunshine State Awards. An event rewarding Florida’s best reporters of all categories.

« A wonderful award for a great reporter, in a very competitive environment » rejoices Brigitte Dusseau, AFP Regional Director North America.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not broken the spirit of the world's major photojournalism festival, and it was all the more crucial to maintain the edition in these difficult times "when many photojournalists have been struggling, with close to no orders for months", Jean-François Leroy, director of Visa, said at a press video conference.

Agence France-Presse will be present this year through 3 exhibitions among the 20 on display: