Norwegian journalist claims Insta, Facebook account suspended amid PM Modi presser row: 'Small price to pay'
PTC News Desk: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng said her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended after she faced heavy online criticism for trying to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a media event in Norway.
In a post on X, Lyng said she could not access her Instagram account for several hours before it was suspended. She said this was “a small price to pay for press freedom” and shared a screenshot of the suspension message. Later, she said both her Instagram and Facebook accounts had been suspended, making it difficult for her to reply to people contacting her through Meta platforms. She added that she hoped to get the accounts back soon.
The controversy started when Lyng tried to ask Modi a question during a joint media briefing with Norway’s prime minister. As Modi was leaving, she shouted, “Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” The moment quickly spread on social media.
Later, Lyng explained that she did not expect Modi to answer her question. She pointed out that Norway ranks first in the World Press Freedom Index, while India ranks 157th. Lyng works for the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen.
After the incident gained attention online, the Indian embassy in Norway invited her to another press briefing. There, she again asked questions about India’s credibility and human rights record. MEA Secretary Sibi George responded by speaking about India’s long history, contributions like chess and yoga, and the country’s Covid vaccine support to other nations.
The incident also led to strong reactions on social media. Some users accused Lyng of being a “foreign plant,” “spy,” or “Chinese proxy,” pointing to her earlier articles about China and President Xi Jinping. Others said the event was only a joint media briefing and not a formal press conference.
- With inputs from agencies
