Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng, who drew attention from Indian citizens and media houses after questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press briefing in Norway, has said that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended amid negative comments from internet trolls.
Lyng took to X, sharing a screenshot of the suspension notice from Instagram and wrote, “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 also made another post, informing users trying to contact her through the platform that her meta 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,” she said.
Lyng gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on social media of her questioning Modi during a joint press briefing with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
“Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” she called out as he left the room. It remains unclear whether the prime minister heard the question.
Lyng later posted on X, saying that she didn’t expect him to answer her question. She also pointed out that while Norway sits at the top of the World Press Freedom Index, India’s rank is 157.
After several political reactions online, the Indian embassy in Norway invited the journalist to a separate press briefing with MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George. While responding to her questions related to India’s credibility and human rights record, George highlighted India’s civilisational history, contributions such as chess and yoga, and its Covid vaccine outreach.
Despite many applauding Lyng’s move, various users attacked her on social media, accusing her of being a “foreign plant”, “spy”, or a “Chinese proxy” due to her earlier articles praising China and President Xi Jinping. Some also argued that the event was a joint media briefing and not a formal press conference.
Lyng responded to the criticism, writing on X, “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. My work is journalism.”
