A Norwegian journalist who publicly challenged Narendra Modi over press freedom in India during his visit to Oslo has claimed that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended days after the exchange triggered a political controversy.
Journalist's Account Suspended
Helle Lyng, an Oslo-based reporter with the newspaper Dagsavisen, said on Wednesday that she had been locked out of both Meta-owned platforms following a wave of attention surrounding her questioning of the Indian prime minister and senior diplomats.
“If you’re trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, I would like to let you know I have been suspended from both accounts. I have wanted to respond to as many Indians as possible, but my responses will now be delayed. I hope I will get my accounts back,” she wrote on X, tagging Meta.
The company has not publicly commented on the suspensions or provided a reason for the accounts being disabled. The Independent has reached out seeking a comment from the social media giant.
The Confrontation
The dispute began earlier this week during a joint appearance in Oslo by Mr Modi and Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The two leaders had announced they would not be taking questions from journalists. As they walked away from the podium, Ms Lyng called out: “Prime minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?”
It is unclear if Mr Modi heard the question, as he did not respond and continued leaving the room.
The moment quickly spread online, fuelling debate in India over press freedom, political accountability, and the prime minister’s long-standing refusal to hold solo press conferences. Mr Modi has not held a traditional press conference since taking office in 2014 and rarely answers direct questions from journalists during foreign visits.
Journalist Defends Approach
Ms Lyng later defended her approach, telling BBC Hindi: “That’s how confrontational journalism works. You have to try to interrupt. You have to try to get more answers. And the answers that you are looking for. And, no, I did not get that.”
In another social media post, she drew attention to the contrast between Norway and India in the World Press Freedom Index. “Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question; I was not expecting him to. Norway has the number one spot on the World Press Freedom Index, India is at 157th,” she wrote.
Escalation at Press Briefing
The confrontation escalated later during a press briefing hosted by Indian diplomats in Oslo, after the Indian embassy invited Ms Lyng to raise her concerns directly with officials. During the exchange, she pressed India’s foreign ministry on allegations relating to press freedom and human rights, asking: “Why should we trust you?”
Senior Indian diplomat Sibi George rejected the criticism and defended India’s democratic institutions and constitutional protections.
“We believe in equality, we believe in human rights. And what is the best example of human rights? The right to change government, the right to vote,” Mr George said.
At another point in the tense interaction, he reportedly told the journalist: “This is my press conference.”
Mr George also criticised what he described as a limited international understanding of India, dismissing reports from rights groups questioning the country’s democratic record. “People have no understanding of the scale of India. They read one or two reports published by some god-forsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” he said.
Ms Lyng later said she had attempted repeatedly to obtain more specific answers from officials about allegations of human rights abuses but had been unsuccessful.
Political Reactions
Opposition politician Rahul Gandhi criticised the prime minister after footage of the encounter circulated online, calling Mr Modi a “compromised PM”.
“What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?” Mr Gandhi wrote. “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”
Journalist Seeks Answers
Meanwhile, Ms Lyng said she was still trying to determine why her social media accounts had been disabled.
“Would someone explain to me how I got suspended from Instagram and Facebook? I am trying to understand if it was because of the two-step verification being misused by others than me or if there was something else,” she wrote.
“Also, does anyone have advice on how I can secure my accounts if I get it back?”
