Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has claimed that her Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended shortly after a widely circulated exchange involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Norway triggered international attention.
The controversy began during a joint media appearance in Oslo, where Lyng publicly questioned Modi over his limited interaction with journalists. According to reports, she asked: “Why don't you take questions from the freest press in the world?” — a remark that quickly spread across social media platforms and sparked heated political debate.
The exchange also led to a sharp response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Senior diplomat Sibi George defended India’s democratic framework and rejected criticism regarding press freedom. “We are proud to be a democracy,” George said during the interaction.
Soon after the incident, Lyng announced online that both her Facebook and Instagram accounts had been suspended. Reports said she described the development as a “small price to pay” amid the backlash she had been receiving online.
The journalist also responded to accusations circulating on social media after the video went viral. “I am not a foreign spy,” Lyng wrote in one of her posts, dismissing allegations targeting her credibility and motives.
The incident has reignited discussions around media freedom, online harassment, and the role of social media platforms in moderating politically sensitive content. Critics and commentators across platforms have questioned whether the suspension was automated moderation or linked to coordinated reporting campaigns. Meta has not yet publicly commented on the matter.
The episode unfolded during Modi’s Norway visit, which had already drawn international attention after sections of the Norwegian press raised questions about human rights and press freedom in India.
