New Delhi: Indian media and pro-government influencers have launched a smear campaign against Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided answering a question on press freedom during his May 2026 visit to Norway. The journalist cited India’s 157th rank in the RSF Press Freedom Index compared to Norway’s 1st.
According to Global Mirror, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen of Dagsavisen posed a legitimate question on press freedom. Prime Minister Modi walked away without responding.
Instead of substantive engagement, sections of Indian Godi media and pro-Modi government influencers launched a coordinated smear campaign, falsely painting the journalist as a “Soros agent,” “global left operative,” and anti-India activist.
Helle Lyng Svendsen is a regular journalist and commentator associated with Dagsavisen, a small Oslo newspaper with circulation under 14,000 that has historical links to the Norwegian Labour Party. She previously worked as an economics journalist at Nettavisen, served as a US correspondent, and has freelanced for various outlets. Her reporting beat primarily covers housing, economy, labour, and domestic politics.
According to Global Mirror, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen of Dagsavisen posed a legitimate question on press freedom. Prime Minister Modi walked away without responding.
Instead of substantive engagement, sections of Indian Godi media and pro-Modi government influencers launched a coordinated smear campaign, falsely painting the journalist as a “Soros agent,” “global left operative,” and anti-India activist.
Helle Lyng Svendsen is a regular journalist and commentator associated with Dagsavisen, a small Oslo newspaper with circulation under 14,000 that has historical links to the Norwegian Labour Party. She previously worked as an economics journalist at Nettavisen, served as a US correspondent, and has freelanced for various outlets. Her reporting beat primarily covers housing, economy, labour, and domestic politics.