Who Is Helle Lyng? Norwegian Journalist Who Questioned PM Modi At Oslo Joint Presser

Last Updated:May 19, 2026, 15:39 IST

The incident unfolded in Oslo during a joint media appearance between PM Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

Helle Lyng, a Norwegian journalist and commentator with Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, found herself at the centre of a political controversy in India after attempting to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Norway.

The incident unfolded in Oslo during a joint media appearance between PM Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. As the two leaders concluded the event and began walking away, Helle Lyng called out, “Why don’t you take some questions from the world’s freest press?" Neither leader responded as they exited the venue.

Read more: ‘Economic Storm On The Way’: Rahul Gandhi’s Salvo At Centre Over Fuel Price Hike

A video of the moment, later shared by Helle Lyng on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Helle Lyng highlighted Norway’s top ranking on the World Press Freedom Index and contrasted it with India’s position at 157. She said questioning political leaders was “the job" of journalists in democratic societies.

The controversy escalated further during a subsequent briefing by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where Helle Lyng again raised questions related to media freedom, democracy and human rights in India. She asked why the international community should “trust" India and whether PM Modi would begin taking “critical questions" from journalists.

Her remarks prompted a sharp response from MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George, who defended India’s democratic institutions and media landscape. The exchange became tense at multiple points, with Sibi George accusing foreign critics of relying on selective narratives and reports from “ignorant NGOs" without understanding India’s scale and diversity.

Read more: India To Get 4th S-400 From Russia This Week: Ship To Plane, How Is An Air Defence Missile System Delivered?

Helle Lyng later claimed she faced online abuse and conspiracy allegations after the videos circulated widely on social media. Responding to accusations that she was a foreign “spy", the journalist issued a clarification on X.

“I never thought I would have to write this, but I am not a foreign spy of any sort," she wrote, adding that she was simply doing her job as a journalist covering international affairs.

Helle Lyng also defended her decision to publicly question PM Modi, saying it is customary in Norway for visiting world leaders to take at least a few questions from reporters during official appearances. According to her, no such opportunity was provided during the Indian prime minister’s engagements in Oslo.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared the viral clip and criticised PM Modi, claiming the prime minister appeared uncomfortable facing questions from the press. The BJP, however, dismissed the criticism and accused the opposition of politicising a routine diplomatic interaction. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya defended PM Modi, arguing that the Norwegian prime minister had also not taken questions during the joint appearance.

In a post on X, Amit Malviya wrote, “The Norwegian Prime Minister also didn’t take any questions at the joint press briefing of the two leaders. But the lunatic Congress ecosystem led by Rahul Gandhi is crowing over a delinquent journalist’s incoherent rant."

News world Who Is Helle Lyng? Norwegian Journalist Who Questioned PM Modi At Oslo Joint Presser

Read More