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Napalm Girl Photo's Authorship Dispute Resurfaces After 51 Years

11/29/2025

39 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 1972 'Napalm Girl' photograph shows Phan Thi Kim Phúc fleeing a napalm attack and faces renewed authorship scrutiny.
The Stringer claims Nguyen Thành Nghe, a freelancer, took the photo instead of Huynh Cong 'Nick' Út.
Former AP editor Carl Robinson says the credit was altered under pressure from AP photo chief Horst Faas.
AP and World Press Photo have investigated but not definitively resolved who should be credited.

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Story summary

The 1972 'Napalm Girl' photograph shows Phan Thi Kim Phúc fleeing a napalm attack and faces renewed authorship scrutiny.
The Stringer claims Nguyen Thành Nghe, a freelancer, took the photo instead of Huynh Cong 'Nick' Út.
Former AP editor Carl Robinson says the credit was altered under pressure from AP photo chief Horst Faas.
AP and World Press Photo have investigated but not definitively resolved who should be credited.