A dramatic moment during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway has gone viral after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng shouted a question on press freedom as Modi exited a media event in Oslo. The journalist asked why PM Modi does not take questions from “the freest press in the world,” referring to Norway’s top ranking on the World Press Freedom Index. The clip quickly exploded online and triggered sharp political reactions in India. Later, India’s Embassy in Oslo invited the journalist to an official media briefing where MEA Secretary Sibi George strongly defended India’s democratic system, media ecosystem and constitutional framework. He said international perceptions about India are often shaped by “ignorant NGOs.”
