Norwegian Journalist Doxxed After Questioning Indian PM on Press Freedom
A Norwegian journalist, Helle Lyng Svendsen, questioned visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about press freedom, and a 16-second video of the exchange went viral with over 8 million views. Subsequently, she was doxxed, inundated with threats including sexual violence, and had to publicly deny being a Chinese spy. Her social media accounts were then suspended by Meta for unknown reasons. The incident highlights the growing risks journalists face.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 08:48
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A Norwegian journalist who questioned visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about why he does not accept media questions on press freedom saw a 16-second video of the encounter go viral globally with over 8 million views. The journalist was subsequently doxxed and flooded with threatening messages, some including threats of sexual violence. She had to publicly clarify late at night online that she is not a Chinese spy, and her social media accounts were suspended by Meta for unknown reasons a few hours ago.
On the 19th, the Nordic-India Summit was held in Oslo, Norway, where prime ministers from the five Nordic countries attended to discuss trade and green energy. Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint press conference beforehand. According to the newspaper Dagsavisen, after the prime ministers finished their remarks, journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen stood up and shouted at Modi's back as he was leaving: "Prime Minister, why do you not accept questions from the world's freest press?" Modi did not turn back.
Svendsen posted the video on X, writing, "Norway ranks first globally in press freedom, while India ranks 157th, alongside Palestine, the UAE, and Cuba. It is our duty to question those we cooperate with." The video went viral on social media.
According to Al Jazeera and the BBC, the Indian embassy invited her to another press conference that evening. When the journalist again asked about human rights in India, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, spoke for 17 minutes about India's 5000-year-old civilization, how chess and yoga originated in India, and how the country provided vaccines to over a hundred nations during the pandemic, positioning India as a trustworthy partner for the world. When Svendsen interjected to request a direct response, he said, "Please do not interrupt me. This is my press conference." He added, "People do not understand the scale of India. Don't come asking questions after reading a few ignorant NGO articles."
After the video spread, Indian social media users launched an attack on Svendsen, claiming her past articles often criticized the U.S. and praised China, stating "the evidence points to possible cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party." Subsequently, her phone number and address were made public, and threatening messages poured in.
The journalist posted on X late at night: "I never thought I would have to write this sentence, but I am not a spy sent by any foreign government."
On the 20th, both her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended by Meta, which did not provide a reason. Svendsen said, "That is a small price to pay for press freedom."
After the incident, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre told Dagsavisen that he had addressed human rights issues but had no intention of pointing a "democratic whip" at the Indian Prime Minister.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has never held a press conference on his own initiative within India.
Kunal Majumder, the Asia-Pacific coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, told Al Jazeera that the pressure on Indian journalists over the past decade has gone beyond direct censorship to include judicial harassment, tax investigations, and account blockades, making it extremely difficult for independent media to survive.
According to the BBC, during Modi's earlier visit to the Netherlands on the same trip, two Dutch journalists also questioned the Indian Ministry of External Affairs about minority rights and press freedom. The same Indian diplomat responded with a nearly identical answer.
On the 19th, the Nordic-India Summit was held in Oslo, Norway, where prime ministers from the five Nordic countries attended to discuss trade and green energy. Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint press conference beforehand. According to the newspaper Dagsavisen, after the prime ministers finished their remarks, journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen stood up and shouted at Modi's back as he was leaving: "Prime Minister, why do you not accept questions from the world's freest press?" Modi did not turn back.
Svendsen posted the video on X, writing, "Norway ranks first globally in press freedom, while India ranks 157th, alongside Palestine, the UAE, and Cuba. It is our duty to question those we cooperate with." The video went viral on social media.
According to Al Jazeera and the BBC, the Indian embassy invited her to another press conference that evening. When the journalist again asked about human rights in India, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, spoke for 17 minutes about India's 5000-year-old civilization, how chess and yoga originated in India, and how the country provided vaccines to over a hundred nations during the pandemic, positioning India as a trustworthy partner for the world. When Svendsen interjected to request a direct response, he said, "Please do not interrupt me. This is my press conference." He added, "People do not understand the scale of India. Don't come asking questions after reading a few ignorant NGO articles."
After the video spread, Indian social media users launched an attack on Svendsen, claiming her past articles often criticized the U.S. and praised China, stating "the evidence points to possible cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party." Subsequently, her phone number and address were made public, and threatening messages poured in.
The journalist posted on X late at night: "I never thought I would have to write this sentence, but I am not a spy sent by any foreign government."
On the 20th, both her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended by Meta, which did not provide a reason. Svendsen said, "That is a small price to pay for press freedom."
After the incident, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre told Dagsavisen that he had addressed human rights issues but had no intention of pointing a "democratic whip" at the Indian Prime Minister.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has never held a press conference on his own initiative within India.
Kunal Majumder, the Asia-Pacific coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, told Al Jazeera that the pressure on Indian journalists over the past decade has gone beyond direct censorship to include judicial harassment, tax investigations, and account blockades, making it extremely difficult for independent media to survive.
According to the BBC, during Modi's earlier visit to the Netherlands on the same trip, two Dutch journalists also questioned the Indian Ministry of External Affairs about minority rights and press freedom. The same Indian diplomat responded with a nearly identical answer.