Reporter who questioned PM Modi says social media accounts were suspended

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng, who questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Norway visit, claimed that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended days later. No official reason has been provided, and the incident has triggered online discussions on press freedom and media access.

By Khushi

A reporter from Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen, Helle Lyng, who recently drew attention for posing a question to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Norway, has claimed that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended days later. However, no official explanation has been publicly provided regarding the reason for the suspension.

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She took to X and shared screenshots of her account status, writing: “Throughout the day, I struggled to log into my Instagram account. Now I have been suspended. It is a small price to pay for press freedom, but I’ve never experienced it before.” She later said both her Instagram and Facebook accounts had become inaccessible.

During his visit to Norway, PM Modi participated in a joint press appearance in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. As the session concluded, Lyng asked PM Modi: “Why don’t you take questions from the world’s freest press?”

A video of the exchange later circulated widely on social media. PM Modi did not respond to the question and continued leaving the venue.

Later, in an interview with the BBC, Lyng stated that asking questions was part of her “duty” as a journalist. She also clarified that it had been announced before the briefing that no questions would be taken from the media.

The incident has since triggered online discussions around press freedom, media access and the treatment of journalists who question political leaders.