[Unstagram] The Photo and the Photographer's Name

Controversy Over the Photographer of the Iconic Vietnam War "Napalm Girl"
World Press Photo Suspends Photographer Credit

The Vietnam War photo known as the "Napalm Girl," titled "The Terror of War," was selected as the World Press Photo (WPP) "Photo of the Year" in 1973, and Associated Press photographer Nick Ut received the Pulitzer Prize for it. Now, more than 50 years later, this photo has become embroiled in controversy over its authorship. The debate was sparked by the documentary "The Stringer," released by the VII Foundation, which claims that the photo was likely taken not by Nick Ut, but by Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a stringer (photography assistant). According to the film, the Associated Press designated Nick Ut as the photographer because its policy prohibits publishing photos not taken by its own journalists.

The iconic Vietnam War photo known as the "Napalm Girl," representing the horrors of war, AP

The issue escalated when the WPP, which had named the photo "Photo of the Year," decided to "suspend" the credit for the photographer. This move met with strong backlash from numerous photographers and industry figures. Former WPP chairman and jury members James Colton, Dave Burnett, and Maria Mann issued an open letter expressing strong opposition. They also requested that their names be removed from the WPP archive, effectively asking for their names to be disassociated from their own photos. More than 400 professional photographers and industry figures, including Magnum photographer Steve McCurry, Kim Younghee, Walter Astrada, and Don McCullin, signed the letter.

A scene from the documentary 'The Stringer.' It is claimed that the person holding the camera and taking pictures is not Nick Ut. The Seven Foundation

The main point of the open letter is that "the WPP's action is an unreasonable act that presumes guilt until innocence is proven, acts on suspicion rather than evidence, and disregards the practices and ethics of journalism, making it impossible for anyone to work with such an organization." In a report released after investigating the controversy, the Associated Press did not definitively identify who took the photo, but also stated that there is no irrefutable evidence that it was not Nick Ut. In photography, credit is not just a matter of naming the photographer or indicating the source; it is a promise to take responsibility for the facts and statements the photo contains. This is why attributing a name to a photo is called "credit."

The film was screened only once at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and only a few people have seen it. Hal Buell, the editor who decided to publish the photo when there was debate over whether the image of the naked girl was suitable for publication, passed away last year. It is uncertain whether the definitive truth will ever be revealed, but this incident could become an unforgettable and devastating event for many who work with photography. However, both those raising doubts and those opposing them agree that the significance of what the photo conveys and its historical stature will remain unchanged.