‘Responsibility for free press’: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng steps down against criticism after Modi exchange | Today’s news
Helle Lyng, a Norwegian journalist who found herself in the Indian media spotlight after her posts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral, defended her position again in a commentary published in a local newspaper.
Lyng now says the fundamental duty of a free press is to question powerful leaders and reject what he describes as “controlled” political speeches.
In her comment, Lyng said her question to the Indian prime minister: “Why don’t you ask some questions to the freest press in the world?” based on the Norwegian belief in freedom of the press according to HT.
She also wrote: “I don’t celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day on Sunday, just to refrain from exercising my freedom of the press on Monday.”
Read also | Who is Helle Lyng Svendsen? Norwegian Journal Amid PM Modi’s Press Line
What happened during Modi’s visit to Norway?
Earlier this week, the Indian Prime Minister was in Oslo, Norway to attend the India-Nordic Summit. After a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the duo left without asking the media, as has been Modi’s modus operandi since becoming Prime Minister.
As they were leaving, Lung, who works for the Norwegian publication Dagsavisen, called the Indian prime minister and asked him why he would not accept the question of the “freest press in the world”.
Later in the post, X also pointed out the fact that Norway holds the top position in the World Press Freedom Index, while India is ranked 157th, competing with Palestine, the Emirates and Cuba.
She also said, “Our job is to challenge the powers that be with whom we work.”
What Lyng said in her comment
In her comment, Lyngová stated that in a democratic society, journalists must have space to ask questions of world leaders who visit other countries.
Under Modi’s picture used in the article, she wrote that the Norwegian prime minister may have had to agree to Modi’s terms for the visit (presumably referring to not taking questions from the press), but he doesn’t.
She also said it was crucial for reporters to ask questions of the government rather than just accept “talking points”.
In another post on X, Lyng wrote: “Journalism is sometimes confrontational. We’re looking for answers,” adding: “If any interviewee, especially one with power, doesn’t answer what I’ve asked, I’ll try to cut them off and get a more focused answer. That’s my job and duty.”
That was most likely her take on India’s Sibi George’s response to her question during the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ press conference, also held in Oslo. Lyng asked George, who is MEA secretary (west), about concerns about human rights conditions in India and why foreign journalists should “trust” the Indian government.
Read also | Who is Sibi George, the Indian diplomat who took on a Norwegian journalist?
In his reply, George spoke about India’s constitutional values of justice, freedom and freedom of expression, along with diplomacy on Covid vaccination, yoga and also the long history of Indian civilization. When Lyng interrupted him to seek ‘specific answers’, George said: “Please don’t interrupt me,” adding: “You’re asking a question, don’t ask me to answer in a specific way.”
