‘Modi, why don’t you take some questions?’ Norwegian Journo heckles PM
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again came under scrutiny over his government’s relationship with the media after avoiding questions from journalists during his visit to Norway on Monday, reigniting international criticism over press freedom and democratic accountability in India.
The controversy unfolded in Oslo after Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store concluded a joint press statement. As the Indian Prime Minister walked away without taking questions, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen publicly challenged him over his refusal to engage with the “freest press in the world”.
Svendsen cried out, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” according to The Wire.
Primeminister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to.
— Helle Lyng (@HelleLyngSvends) May 18, 2026
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
The episode quickly drew attention because Modi, despite repeatedly projecting India as the world’s largest democracy, has rarely faced unscripted questioning in open press conferences during his decade in office. The few occasions on which he accepted questions from journalists reportedly took place abroad.
Svendsen later stated that questioning political leaders was part of the media’s democratic responsibility, while also highlighting the sharp contrast between Norway’s top position in the global press freedom rankings and India’s poor standing in the index published by Reporters Without Borders.
“It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with,” she wrote on X later.
She also attempted to question Modi about alleged human rights concerns and restrictions on press freedom before he entered an elevator, but was unable to complete the interaction.
“What I was wondering was whether he thinks he deserves the trust of the Nordic countries given his human rights violations and his restrictions on press freedom,” Svendsen wrote.
The incident came amid wider European concern over democratic freedoms in India. Ahead of a meeting with Modi, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten had reportedly raised concerns about press freedom, minority rights and the rule of law under the Modi government.
At a subsequent media briefing, senior Indian diplomat Sibi George dismissed such concerns as stemming from a misunderstanding, before later claiming he had not seen the Dutch leader’s remarks.
Questions over media freedom under Modi had also intensified in 2023 after Sabrina Siddique faced online abuse from Hindutva supporters following her question to Modi in Washington on minority rights and freedom of speech.
Based on The Wire report.