### The BackstoryThis script covers the ongoing international controversy involving Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Norway, Lyng cornered the leaders at a joint press briefing, asking why PM Modi wouldn’t take questions from the “freest press in the world.”The incident triggered intense political reactions in India, a dramatic face-off between Lyng and Indian diplomats, and highlighted the stark contrast in global press freedom rankings.### Key Highlights of the Script * **Social Media Suspension:** Helle Lyng claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended due to the heavy influx of engagement from Indian users, calling it “a small price to pay for press freedom.” * **Rahul Gandhi’s Infiltration:** Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi reshared the viral video to criticize PM Modi.
In a surprising twist, Lyng publicly commented on Rahul Gandhi’s post, openly inviting him for a phone interview. * **The Embassy Confrontation:** The Indian Embassy in Norway invited Lyng to an official evening press briefing. There, Lyng had a heated exchange with MEA Secretary (West) CB George, questioning India’s human rights record and press freedom. The tense back-and-forth ended with Lyng briefly storming out of the hall. * **The BBC Interview:** Speaking to BBC Hindi, Lyng admitted she knew beforehand that no questions were allowed at the joint briefing, but argued it was her journalistic duty to question the leader of the world’s largest democracy. * **Press Freedom Context:** The controversy put a spotlight on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rankings, where Norway has held the #1 spot for a decade, while India has slipped 15 spots over the last five years to rank 157th.### English Translation of the Script”Brought to you by Saluja Gold—India’s most trusted Saluja Gold DMD Bars. Saluja Gold TND—now you’ve got it right, Contractor Babu, strength is everything!””Prime Minister Modi, don’t you take some questions from the freest
press in the world?”Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng, who previously accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of avoiding questions during his visit to Norway, has now made a fresh claim. Helle alleges that her Instagram and Facebook accounts have been suspended. What exactly did she claim in her post on X? What has been happening to Helle Lyng since this entire controversy unfolded? And what did she say about asking questions at PM Narendra Modi’s press briefing? Let’s break it down point by point.First, let’s look at Helle Lyng’s claim regarding the suspension of her Instagram and Facebook accounts. Helle wrote on X: *”If you are trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, let me inform you that both of my accounts have been suspended. I wanted to reply to as many Indians as possible, but now my responses will be delayed. I hope to get my accounts back.”* Additionally, she shared a screenshot showing her struggle to log into Instagram throughout the day. She further wrote: *”This is a small price to pay for press freedom. But I have never experienced anything like this before.”*The entire controversy erupted when PM Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Norway were leaving the briefing hall after concluding their joint press statement. It was at that moment Helle Lyng called out, asking why he wouldn’t take questions from the world’s freest press. The video of this incident spread like wildfire on social media. Helle Lyng posted the clip herself, triggering a fresh debate on press freedom and democracy. While some sections came out
in her support, others trolled her heavily.In the midst of this, India’s Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, reshared Helle’s video, writing: *”When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What image of India is being projected when the world sees a compromised PM visibly nervous and running away from a few questions?”* Nearly seven hours after Rahul Gandhi’s repost, Helle commented directly under his tweet, asking: *”Hello, would you be available for a phone call interview on Tuesday, Norway time? It would be interesting to hear how you view PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway.”*Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Norway issued a direct response. Posting on social media, the Embassy wrote: *”Dear Miss Helle Lyng, the Embassy is organizing a press briefing on the Prime Minister’s visit at 9:30 PM at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. You are welcome to come and ask your questions here.”*Following this, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) held its press conference in Norway. During the session,
Helle confronted Indian officials, asking: *”Why should Norway trust India? Can you promise that you will stop the ongoing human rights violations in your country? Will the Prime Minister of India start taking tough and critical questions from the Indian press?”*Responding to her, MEA Secretary (West) CB George spoke at length about India’s democratic framework and constitutional values. When Helle interrupted him mid-sentence, the Secretary, visibly firm, retorted: *”Please do not interrupt me.”* Helle countered by claiming that CB George was evading her direct question. As the situation escalated into a tense argument, the MEA Secretary noted, *”This is my press conference,”* prompting a frustrated Helle Lyng to storm out of the hall, though she returned later.Following these events, Helle Lyng gave multiple interviews. In an interview with BBC Hindi, she was asked if she already knew that both Prime Ministers would not be taking questions, given that PM Modi rarely takes unscripted press questions abroad—having done so only twice before (during his US visits in June 2023 and February 2025).To this, Helle Lyng replied: *”
No, we knew beforehand that questions would not be taken, and that is exactly what makes my job even more important. We cannot allow a foreign leader to come here and dictate the definition of democracy. What is democracy if there is no room to question the most powerful person in your country? Given the state of press freedom and human rights violations in India, it was my duty to question the most powerful man of such a massive nation.”*Amid this geopolitical storm, Helle’s social media popularity skyrocketed. Her follower count on X surged overnight from a mere 400 to over 45,000 and continues to climb. Journalist Helle Lyng is currently associated with the Norwegian newspaper *Dagsavisen*, having previously covered American political affairs.The controversy has naturally invited intense comparisons between the press freedom rankings of Norway and India. For the past 10 years,
Norway has consistently topped the World Press Freedom Index. Conversely, India’s ranking has steadily declined, slipping 15 spots over the last five years to land at the 157th position. This global index is published by the Paris-based non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which documents attacks on journalists and advocates for media freedom worldwide.It remains to be seen whether this diplomatic and media dispute settles here or if more chapters unfold in the coming days. We will continue to bring you all the latest updates on this story.This report was compiled by our colleague Supriya. My name is Vikas Verma. If you are new to the channel, please make sure to subscribe to The Lallantop. If you liked this video, please give it a like and share it. Keep watching The Lallantop. Thank you.
