World Press Photo doubts Nick Ut's authorship of iconic Vietnam photo

In recent developments surrounding a historic photograph from the Vietnam War, World Press Photo has suspended its attribution to Nick Ut, the Associated Press photographer celebrated for capturing a moment during a napalm attack in 1972 that featured a naked, terrified girl, Kim Phuc. Since the photo won the prestigious 'photo of the year' award in 1973, questions regarding its true authorship have emerged, particularly following the release of a documentary film 'The Stringer' this year. The film raised concerns about whether Ut was indeed the one who took the photograph, suggesting that other photographers, Nguyen Thanh Nghe and Huynh Cong Phuc, might have been in better positions to capture the iconic shot during the attack. Following two investigations, the Associated Press concluded that while they could not definitively prove who took the photograph that day, the passage of time rendered it impossible to ascertain the true author with certainty. The AP’s stance remains that it cannot strip Ut of credit without clear evidence, asserting its continued belief in Ut’s ownership of the photograph despite the ongoing controversy. Conversely, World Press Photo found the doubts regarding Ut's authorship significant enough to warrant a suspension of attribution, leading to a clear divide within the photographic community on the matter. World Press Photo’s executive director, Joumana El Zein Khoury, announced that while the evidence does not definitively point to another photographer, they concluded that the existing attribution could not be maintained due to significant uncertainties. As a result, they will not attempt to recover the monetary award originally given to Ut when the photo was recognized in 1973. The prolonged investigation into the photo’s authorship has further intensified discussions about historical accountability in journalism and the weight of photographic evidence in narrating true human experiences. Meanwhile, the Pulitzer Prize awarded to Ut for the photo appears secure, as Pulitzer administrators rely on news agencies, such as the AP, to verify authorship. The board indicated that based on the AP's findings, they do not foresee any actions that would challenge Ut's Pulitzer status. This situation continues to highlight the tensions within the photography community juxtaposed with the ethical implications of credit and recognition within historical contexts, compounded by the emerging narrative presented in 'The Stringer' documentary.