Controversy Erupts Over Napalm Girl Photo's Authorship in New Documentary

A new documentary titled "The Stringer," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, is igniting debate over the authorship of the iconic "Napalm Girl" photograph taken during the Vietnam War in 1972. Film director Bao Nguyen claims that the image, often credited to photographer Nick Út, may actually have been taken by a local Vietnamese stringer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe.

The "Napalm Girl" photo, depicting the harrowing moment after a chemical attack, features nine-year-old Kim Phúc fleeing in agony as her skin burns. The image had a profound impact on public perception of the Vietnam War, reaching an estimated billion viewers shortly after publication.

In a series of revelations, the documentary suggests that an Associated Press photo editor, Carl Robinson, and others involved in publishing the photo confirmed a long-rumored belief in the industry: that the true photographer was Nghe, who received a mere $20 and a print of the image. Meanwhile, Út went on to receive a Pulitzer Prize and fame based on the image.

The film outlines potential reasons for the misattribution, including a practice of crediting staff photographers over freelancers, as well as biases against local photographers. Robinson expressed regret over his role in the misattribution, noting a struggle with coming forward sooner.

"The Stringer" not only revisits the origins of a landmark photograph but also challenges long-standing issues within photojournalism regarding fair credit and representation. The implications of these findings may prompt legal challenges between the Associated Press and the filmmakers, as they seek acknowledgment for Nghe’s work.

As discussions about the accuracy and ethics of historical photojournalism unfold, the documentary aims to honor the story of the photograph and its rightful creator, raising questions about justice and representation in veteran journalism.