Hilly Laing was part of the media team that covered Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Norway. She was abused online because she wanted to ask him a question.
When a Norwegian journalist tried unsuccessfully to persuade Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask a question during his visit to Norway, she expected to make headlines; Instead I became one.
Helle Laing, who works with the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen and was part of the media coverage The reaction to Modi’s visit to Norway came after facing a barrage of online abuse.
“I never thought I would have to write this, but I am not a foreign spy of any kind, sent by any foreign government,” Ling posted on X, apparently in response to X posts accusing her of having vested interests.
“My job is journalism, especially in Norway now,” she said.
Modi is currently in the country on the fourth leg of his five-nation tour. He arrived in Oslo after visiting the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Sweden, and is scheduled to travel to Italy later on May 19.
“Prime Minister Modi, why are you not taking questions?”
The controversy began during Prime Minister Modi’s joint media appearance in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Jahr Sture.
As the leaders were leaving, Ling shouted, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?
Neither leader responded as they left.
Ling later shared a video of that moment on Channel X and wrote: “The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, did not answer my question. I did not expect him to do so.”
She also said: “Norway ranks first in the World Press Freedom Index, India 157th, competing with Palestine, the UAE and Cuba. Our mission is to question the powers with which we cooperate.”
Indian Embassy in Norway later invited Ling to attend a press conference with the Department of Foreign Affairs. “Will I be able to meet Modi?” I asked them on X.
Exchange of Norwegian journalists with Middle East Airlines
The issue escalated during a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press conference, where Laing again raised questions regarding human rights, democracy and media freedom in India.
She asked Indian officials why the international community should “trust” India and whether Modi would start taking “critical questions” from the press.
“Can you promise that you will stop the human rights violations that are happening in your country?” I asked.
Secretary, Middle East Aviation (West) Sibi George strongly defended India’s democratic institutions. He criticized foreign commentators for relying on selective reporting from “ignorant NGOs” without understanding India’s size and diversity.
“You asked why a country should trust India, let me answer this question, ‘India is a civilizational country that has something unique to offer the world… The whole world has suffered from Covid, so what have we done? We didn’t hide in a cave, and we didn’t say we wouldn’t save the world. “We went out to help the world, which builds trust, and we are very happy to appreciate this trust,” George said, looking frustrated.
Ling later responded to
Political reactions
The discussion also sparked political reactions at home.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared the video online and criticized Prime Minister Modi. “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India’s image when the world sees a prime minister panicking and dodging some questions?” Gandhi wrote on X.
Ling responded to the tweet and asked the opposition leader for a phone interview. “It would be interesting to hear how you view the visit to Norway,” she wrote on X.
Head of IT cell of BJP Amit attacked Malviya Gandhi and her, saying, “The Norwegian Prime Minister also did not take any questions at the joint press conference of the two leaders. But the crazy Congress ecosystem led by Rahul Gandhi flaunts the incoherent rants of the perverted journalist.”
Laing disagreed and explained that the Norwegian Prime Minister interacted with the Indian press later in the day.
Mahua Moitra also showed his support for Lyng amid online backlash.
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