AP refutes documentary that disputes photo credit for ‘napalm girl’
The Associated Press (AP) has refuted claims made in a new documentary that disputes the credit for the iconic “napalm girl” photograph taken during the Vietnam War. Taken on June 8, 1972, the photo features Kim Phuc, a naked girl running from a napalm attack in Trang Bang, Vietnam. The documentary argues that the photo was actually taken by NBC News driver Nguyen Thanh Nghe, while AP’s former photo editor, Carl Robinson, suggested Nick Ut should receive credit for the image.
In response to the documentary, the AP stated they found no evidence to support the claims against Ut and welcomed the opportunity to review any new materials. The AP conducted a thorough six-month inquiry regarding the photograph and maintains its position on the attribution. Kim Phuc, now an advocate for children affected by war, continues to work towards helping children escape conflict zones.
AP refutes documentary that disputes photo credit for ‘napalm girl’
The Associated Press denied that its iconic photo of a naked Vietnamese girl running from a napalm attack was not taken by one of its photographers as a new documentary claims.
Kim Phuc was in Trang Bang, Vietnam, on June 8, 1972, when southern Vietnam dropped napalm on the town. Phuc became known as the “napalm girl” when the photo went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and be displayed worldwide, including at the Vietnamese War Museum in Ho Chi Minh.
On Saturday, The Stringer premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, the first time the AP saw the film in its entirety. In it, former AP photo editor Carl Robinson said he was told by a superior to give Nick Ut credit for the photo that the film claims was actually taken by NBC News driver Nguyen Thanh Nghe. Nguyen said the AP gave him $20 for the photo and a printed version that his wife has since destroyed.
“In a report published last week, AP outlined its findings to date, making clear we had seen nothing that proves Nick Ut did not take the photo,” the outlet said in a statement since seeing the documentary. “We also made clear we welcomed the opportunity to review any additional materials in pursuit of the facts.”
According to the AP, it wasn’t allowed to speak to Robinson unless it agreed to “conditions.” The outlet believed these conditions would have “hindered our ability to fully investigate and would have prevented us from correcting the record” and conducted a six-month investigation, including interviewing five people there that day. The documentary features the on-camera interviews of some 45 people.
Ut and Phuc offered statements via their shared attorney denying the claims. Neither gave interviews to the documentary.
Phuc has gone on to start her own organization to help children flee their countries during war and most recently helped a group of Ukrainian children escape to Canada in 2022 shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
Now loading...