Oslo: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng says her Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended after she went viral for publicly trying to question Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to Oslo.
Lyng, a reporter with Oslo-based Dagsavisen who has freelanced for several Norwegian news outlets and MSN, told followers she had been unable to log in and that replies to Indians contacting her would be delayed.
In a post on X, Lyng wrote: “If you’re trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, I would like to let you know I have been suspended from both accounts.” She said that losing access to her accounts had slowed her ability to reply to the many messages she had received from Indians, adding: “I have wanted to respond to as many Indians as possible, but my responses will now be delayed.” She also expressed hope of regaining access soon, saying, “I hope I will get my accounts back.”
Login Troubles, Screenshots
Earlier Lyng shared a screenshot of a failed attempt to sign in to Instagram, saying: “Throughout all day I have struggled to log onto my Instagram account.” She described the suspension as a “small prize to pay for press freedom,” and said she had “never experienced” an SNS account suspension before.
Lyng also asked online: “Would someone explain to how I got suspended of Instagram and Facebook? I am trying to understand if It was because of the two-step verification being misused by others than me or if there was something else. Also does anyone have advice on how I can secure my accounts if I get it back?”
Why Her Question Drew Attention?
Lyng’s posts followed an exchange after a joint press briefing with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. She tried to put a question to PM Modi as the leaders left the venue, asking: “Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” The two prime ministers did not respond, and Lyng later acknowledged she had not expected an answer.
She wrote on X that Narendra Modi did not take her question and said she was not expecting him to. Lyng also pointed to press-freedom rankings, saying: “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 with.”
