16 Photos the Media Tried to Bury That Eventually Went Viral
These 16 powerful photos, once suppressed or downplayed by authorities or media, broke through censorship to ignite global outrage, spark movements, and change the course of history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Certain images are so strong, no power can suppress them. This set of 16 viral photographs — previously censored, overlooked, or actively repressed — broke through media gatekeeping to reveal truth, spark protests, and alter public opinion. From battlefields to whistleblowers, each photo reminds us that one frame can change the world.
1. “Napalm Girl” – Kim Phúc, Vietnam (1972)
Image from Wikipedia
Photographer Nick Ut took a photograph of 9-year-old Kim Phúc running from a napalm attack, naked and in pain. At first, some media were reluctant to release the picture because it was so gruesome and showed nudity. However, it tbecame an iconic photo that fueled anti-war protests and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
2. Aylan Kurdi – Syrian Refugee Crisis (2015)
Image from The Guardian
The poignant photo of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi’s body on a Turkish beach brought to the fore the Syrian refugee crisis. Although some media were reluctant to publish it, the image went viral, leading to worldwide outrage and debate on immigration policies.
3. David Kirby – AIDS Epidemic (1990)
Image from LIFE
Therese Frare’s photo of David Kirby, who was dying of AIDS, surrounded by his family, was originally controversial. Even though there were efforts to suppress it, the photo brought humanity to the AIDS crisis and became a symbol of compassion and awareness.
4. Philando Castile – Police Shooting (2016)
Image from Wikipedia
Diamond Reynolds live-streamed the aftermath of the police shooting of her boyfriend Philando Castile. The unedited footage at first was quite disturbing to many news outlets but was soon online and sparked controversy about police brutality and racial inequality.
5. Barbra Streisand’s Malibu Home (2003)
Image from The Sydney Morning Herald
One aerial photograph of Streisand’s house was among a set capturing coastal erosion. Her effort to censor the photograph inadvertently highlighted it, and her lawsuit spawned a new phrase (“Streisand Effect”) to characterize suppression as leading to backfire effects.
6. Beyoncé’s Super Bowl Pictures (2013)
Image from The Hollywood Reporter
Following the release of unflattering pictures of Beyoncé’s Super Bowl show, her publicist demanded their removal. Trying to control the situation resulted in further sharing of the photos, illustrating the predicament faced by celebrities in the age of digital media.
7. Dr. Li Wenliang – COVID-19 Whistleblower (2020)
Image from BBC
Dr. Li warned of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak but was silenced by government officials. After his virus-related death, photos of him went viral across the world, representing the perils of censorship in the face of health emergencies.
8. Emaciated Yemeni Girl – Famine Crisis (2018)
Image from CNN
Tyler Hicks’ photograph of a malnourished Yemeni child brought attention to the Yemen humanitarian crisis. Facebook’s first censorship of the image generated controversy about the site’s content policies and the value of witnessing.
9. Trump’s Bleeding Fist – Assassination Attempt (2024)
Image from AP News
Photos of injured Donald Trump lifting his fist following an assassination plot were perceived by some media experts as possible propaganda. Contrary to apprehension, the photographs went viral, impacting the people’s view during the election period.
10. Coffins of U.S. Soldiers – Iraq War (2004)
Image from Iconic Photos - WordPress.com
A photograph of ranks of coffins of American dead was originally blocked by a prohibition on such images. When it was leaked, it stirred feelings against the war and debate concerning the cost of human lives in war.
11. Execution of Viet Cong Prisoner – Saigon (1968)
Image from NBC News
Eddie Adams took the photograph of a Viet Cong prisoner being executed by a South Vietnamese officer. The gruesome photo was unpopular but went on to be a symbol of the war’s violence.
12. Kent State Shooting – Vietnam War Protest (1970)
Image from The New York Times
John Filo’s picture of a young woman yelling in horror over a student’s body after the National Guard opened fire on protesters was initially jarring. Despite efforts to downplay its effect, the photo became symbolic of domestic turmoil.
13. Tank Man – Tiananmen Square (1989)
Image from Wikipedia
A man who remained unknown was in front of the tanks during the protests in Tiananmen Square. Although Chinese officials censored the image, it became a long-lasting symbol of defiance across the globe.
14. Neda Agha-Soltan – Iranian Protests (2009)
Image from The New York Times
Online videos of Neda’s murder during Iranian protests were widely disseminated despite official censorship. Her photo emerged as a call to action for opposition movements and identified the potential of citizen journalism.
15. Mantes-la-Jolie Student Arrests – France (2018)
Image from BBC
Photos of French students kneeling with their hands behind their heads during a police raid were initially played down. Once shared, they caused outrage and controversy over police behavior.
16. Toulouse Protester Tripped by Police – France (2020)
Image from Le Monde
A viral video of a police officer tripping a protester while demonstrating in Toulouse spread like wildfire. Despite efforts from the authorities to frame the narrative, the clip contributed to discussions around law enforcement accountability.