A video posted by Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over media interaction during his Norway visit has triggered a diplomatic and social media storm, with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issuing a sharp rebuttal to allegations related to press freedom and human rights.The controversy began during a joint press statement by Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo on Monday. As the leaders exited the venue without taking questions, Lyng, who identifies herself as a journalist with Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen, was heard asking Modi why he would not take questions from the “world’s freest press”.Primeminister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to.Norway has the number one spot on the World Press Freedom Index, India is at 157th, competing with Palestine, Emirates & Cuba.It is our job to question the powers we cooperate… pic.twitter.com/vZHYZnAvev— Helle Lyng (@HelleLyngSvends) May 18, 2026Sharing the video on social media platform X, Lyng wrote: “Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to.”She further referred to global press freedom rankings, saying Norway held the top spot while India ranked 157th. “It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with,” she added.The video quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions online. While some praised the journalist for raising questions on press freedom, others accused her of grandstanding and selectively targeting India.Journalist says Instagram, Facebook accounts suspendedAmid the online debate, Lyng later claimed that her Instagram and Facebook accounts had been suspended.If you’re trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, I would like to let you know I have been suspended from both accounts. I have wanted to respond to as many Indians as possible, but my responses will now be delayed. I hope I will get my accounts back. @Meta— Helle Lyng (@HelleLyngSvends) May 19, 2026“If you’re trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, I would like to let you know I have been suspended from both accounts,” she posted on X. “I have wanted to respond to as many Indians as possible, but my responses will now be delayed. I hope I will get my accounts back.”The reason behind the suspension of her Meta-owned accounts was not immediately known. However, Lyng described it as “a small prize to pay for press freedom”.Throughout all day I have struggled to log onto my Instagram account. Now I have been suspended. It is a small prize to pay for press freedom, but I’ve never experienced it before. pic.twitter.com/XCitS65Rlg— Helle Lyng (@HelleLyngSvends) May 19, 2026“Throughout all day I have struggled to log onto my Instagram account. Now I have been suspended. It is a small prize to pay for press freedom, but I’ve never experienced it before,” she wrote in another post.A screenshot shared by the journalist showed a notice from Instagram stating that her account had been suspended on May 19, 2026, and that she had 180 days to appeal the decision.Face-off with MEAThe controversy escalated further during an MEA media briefing on Modi’s Norway visit, where Lyng directly questioned Indian officials on issues of “trust” and alleged human rights violations.“Why should we trust you?” she asked during the interaction, while also questioning whether India would “stop the human rights violations” and whether the Prime Minister would “start taking critical questions from the Indian press”.Responding to the remarks, Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the MEA, strongly defended India’s democratic structure and constitutional framework.“We are one sixth of the total population of the world, but not one sixth of the problems of the world,” George said, while explaining the scale and diversity of India.“We have a Constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights of the people. If anyone’s rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. We are proud to be a democracy,” he added.George also criticised what he described as selective narratives about India based on limited reports and external commentary.‘I am not a spy’: Journalist respondsAs reactions intensified online, Lyng also issued a clarification denying allegations circulating on social media about her motives.“I never thought I would have to write this, but I am not a foreign spy of any sort, sent out by any foreign government,” she said in a separate post.Defending her style of questioning, the journalist said journalism was “sometimes confrontational”.“We seek answers. If any interview subject, especially with power, do not answer what I asked, I will try to interrupt and get a more focused response. That is my job and duty,” she wrote.