Facebook Inc. reversed a decision to delete posts containing a famous Vietnam War photo of a girl fleeing napalm bombs after the move drew rebuke from Norway’s prime minister and the nation’s largest newspaper. The flare-up highlighted Facebook’s powerful role as a host for news—even though it says it isn’t a media company.

In a letter on its front page, Norwegian daily Aftenposten lashed out at Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for “limiting freedom” after the social network removed the image of the naked girl from the newspaper’s profile page earlier this week, citing its policy against showing nudity.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg weighed in, posting on her Facebook page, “Facebook gets it wrong when they censor such images.” She added: “I say no to this type of censorship.”

Hours later, Ms. Solberg’s post—which included the image—disappeared from her account.

After the public outcry, Facebook said Friday it would restore the image.