A group of Syrian activist journalists has been recognized with the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists .
Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) was formed in April of 2014 by a group of Syrian activists setting out to document atrocities committed by ISIS following the groups violent takeover of Raqqa.
Working anonymously for their safety, the journalists have gone on to report not only ISIS draconian atrocities but to cover the civilian casualties caused by Syrian government forces, the negative actions of various other rebel groups and deaths caused by US airstrikes.
The group has faced constant death threats from ISIS and has seen several of its members brutally murdered when discovered. In fact, Syria has been ranked as the most deadly country for journalists for three consecutive years. Yet, despite the intensity of the mission, RBSS has continued its work, sharing the reality from the ground in Syria with the world.
In his acceptance speech, an RBSS founder, said:
"I am deeply sad for my beautiful country. It is suffering greatly from regime fever and the cancer of terrorism, so greatly that I fear its spirit will melt.
We are caught between two aggressive and brutal forces. The first is a criminal regime, obsessed with power, claiming to fight against terrorism by killing children.
The second spreads evil and injustice, and paints our nation black.
Each of them considers us criminals because we are disclosing their actions to the world. Now the mere mention of the name of 'Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently' has become a crime punishable by death."
Watch the full acceptance speech in the video above.