A brief press event in Oslo has sparked an international debate over press freedom in India. Helle Lyng Svendsen, a commentator and journalist with the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, went viral globally after publicly calling out Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his media track record.
The controversy began after PM Modi, along with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, concluded their official remarks and began to leave the podium. At that moment, Lyng called out loudly from the press area, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?”
After PM Modi did not respond to her question, journalist Lyng later wrote on X that she had not expected him to answer. She added that Norway ranks first on the World Press Freedom Index, while India is ranked 157th, competing with Palestine, the UAE and Cuba, saying, “It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with.”
Videos of the moment circulated widely online, triggering a major debate. Lyng stood by her decision to question Modi and linked the issue to concerns over press freedom and human rights in India.
In another post, Lyng said she also attempted to ask PM Modi a question near an elevator, but the closing doors stopped her. She said, “What I was wondering was whether he thinks he deserves the trust of the Nordic countries given his human rights violations and his restrictions on press freedom.”
The Norwegian journalist also faced mixed reactions for raising the questions. Modi’s supporters and ruling party officials criticized her actions, while media advocates and opposition leaders defended her right to hold public figures accountable.
The opposition Congress party seized on the controversy to criticize Modi’s long-standing reluctance to hold open press conferences. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, shared Lyng’s post and the event video on social media and wrote: “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?”
Supporters of Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, argued that the Oslo event was structured as a joint “press briefing” rather than an open press conference. Supporters also noted that Norwegian Prime Minister Støre did not take questions on stage either.
MEA Highlights India’s Democracy, Constitutional Values
Later, the Indian Embassy tagged Lyng on X, inviting her to attend a press briefing by Indian officials.
During the press briefing, Lyng asked Indian officials, “As we strengthen our partnership, why should we trust you? Can you promise that you will try to stop the human rights violations that goes on in your country? And also, will the Prime Minister start taking critical questions from the Indian press at some point in the future?”
Addressing the media, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended the country’s democratic system and constitutional framework after questions were raised by the Norwegian journalist.
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said India’s Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and legal protections for all citizens. He described India as the “largest democracy in the world” and highlighted the country’s elections, judiciary and constitutional values.
George also said India’s foreign policy is guided by the welfare and security of its people and by contributing to the “common global good.”
Highlighting India’s civilizational legacy, he described India as a 5,000-year-old civilization that contributed concepts such as zero and the numerical system, while also noting that chess and yoga originated in India.
George defended India’s global role during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the country supplied vaccines to more than 100 countries and medicines to 150 countries. He also cited India’s leadership during the 2023 G20 Summit, saying India was able to bring countries together despite divisions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He further said that people often lack an understanding of India’s scale, adding that they tend to rely on one or two news reports published by what he described as godforsaken, ignorant NGOs before raising questions. He urged not to be concerned and reiterated that India is proud to be a democracy.
George also said the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family,” reflects India’s belief in humanity and commitment to global welfare.
During the exchange, George repeatedly asked Lyng not to interrupt while he was responding to questions, saying it was his responsibility to conduct the press briefing and answer in his own manner.
“We Seek Answers, Not Talking Points”, Says Lyng
Lyng wanted straight forward answers to the questions. Following the press briefing, Lyng wrote on social media that she and a colleague had raised questions “on why we should trust India given the human rights violations, and also about the visit.”
“I tried multiple times to get them to be specific on human rights, but I was unsuccessful,” she added, saying Indian representatives spoke about India’s efforts during COVID-19 and yoga, among other topics.
She further wrote on X that journalism is sometimes confrontational and that journalists seek answers from people in power. She said if interview subjects do not directly answer questions, she may interrupt to seek a more focused response, adding that her duty is to seek answers rather than talking points.
