Helle Lyng said after questioning PM Modi that a free press must challenge powerful leaders, not participate in “controlled” political events.

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has defended her confrontation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Norway visit, saying it was the duty of a free press to question powerful leaders and reject “controlled” political appearances.

In a commentary published in Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen, Lyng wrote that her now-viral question to Modi — “Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” — was rooted in Norway’s commitment to press freedom.

“I do not celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day on a Sunday only to refrain from using my freedom of the press on a Monday,” she wrote in the piece

Viral moment during Modi’s Oslo visit
The controversy erupted earlier this week during PM Modi’s visit to Oslo for the India-Nordic Summit. At a joint press appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the two leaders left without taking questions. As they exited, Lyng, a journalist with Norwegian daily Dagsavisen, called out to Modi asking why he would not answer questions from “the freest press in the world”.

She followed it up by pointing to Norway’s top ranking on the World Press Freedom Index and India’s significantly lower position, saying: “It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with.”

‘Journalism is sometimes confrontational’
In her commentary, Helle Lyng argued that democratic societies must allow journalists to challenge leaders openly, especially visiting heads of government.

She said she rejected the idea that foreign leaders could dictate the terms of media access in Norway. Defending adversarial journalism, she wrote that reporters should seek answers from those in power rather than simply accept “talking points”.

After the clip spread online, Lyng also responded to criticism and abuse directed at her on social media.

“Journalism is sometimes confrontational. We seek answers,” she wrote in a separate X post. “If any interview subject, especially with power, does not answer what I asked, I will try to interrupt and get a more focused response. That is my job and duty.”