Since 1972, the photograph The Terror of War has been attributed to Associated Press photographer Nick Út. However, recent research has placed this long-standing attribution in serious doubt. Findings presented by The VII Foundation in the documentary The Stringer, along with separate investigations by The Associated Press and World Press Photo, indicate that the authorship is in doubt.
In light of this uncertainty, World Press Photo has suspended the attribution to Nick Út. Analysis of the available visual evidence and of the likely camera used that day suggests that photographers Nguyễn Thành Nghệ or Huỳnh Công Phúc may have been in a better position to have taken the photograph.
Importantly, the photograph itself remains authentic and its award is unchanged. What is unclear is the authorship, which may ultimately never be fully resolved. The suspension of the attribution will remain in place unless conclusive evidence emerges.
