Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:44am on 19 May 2026,Tuesday India Global
A tense exchange unfolded during an official media briefing in Oslo after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng repeatedly questioned India’s record on press freedom, minority rights and human rights. Responding sharply, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic institutions and media landscape, saying critics often rely on “selective reports” by NGOs without understanding India’s scale and diversity. George highlighted constitutional guarantees, women’s voting rights and India’s electoral democracy as examples of its commitment to equality and freedoms. The confrontation came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Norway visit and later triggered political reactions and debate online. (PC: India Today)
