Independent photojournalism and documentary photography are indispensable tools of political education for a democratic society and an essential part of shaping public opinion-especially in our so-called 'post-factual' times. In recognition of this, the independent non-profit organization World Press Photo Foundation, based in Amsterdam, has been presenting the World Press Photo Award for the best photo, the best story, the best longterm project of the year for more than six decades. The winning images in the various categories tell bold stories and provide invaluable insights into the state of our world.  A photograph by Mohammed Salem for Reuters from the Gaza war is the press photo of the year and also the cover illustration - it shows a Palestinian woman holding her five-year-old niece, who was killed when a missile hit her home in Khan Younis, Gaza, tightly on her lap.