Journalism Worries Diplomacy Between Country of Press Freedom No.1 Norway & No.157 India
A CSNN India Desk commentary on press freedom, diplomatic accountability, journalism under pressure, and the public responsibility of leaders when questioned by the press.
Press Freedom Index 2026
Norway No. 1
The article frames Norway as the leading press freedom country in the RSF ranking referenced by the author.
Press Freedom Index 2026
India No. 157
The article contrasts India’s position with the diplomatic setting in which the question was raised.
CSNN Editorial Frame
This publication is presented in CSNN’s civic and institutional commentary line, focused on press freedom, democratic scrutiny, diplomacy, public accountability and the role of journalism in confronting power.
The question of liberty while reporting and responsibility of leaders become a strong wind in news headlines, generating from Indian Prime Minister’s official visit to some European countries, and particularly from Norway.
In fact, journalism worries diplomacy between country of press freedom No. 1 Norway & No. 157 India.
The Press Freedom Index 2026 was released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where Netherlands and Estonia placed in the second and third position on press freedom list while Norway ranked at the top and India at 157th place.
On 18th May 2026, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Modi and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr were attending a joint press appearance in Norway.
Representing an Oslo based newspaper Dagsavisen, Helle Lyng,
asked Indian Prime Minister Modi, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world”?
Prime Minister Modi walked out of the podium without replying and this became the news storm and straining point between journalism and diplomacy.
Amid piles of information, misinformation and disinformation, seeking the truth about press freedom culture in India is the best answer.
An independent journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was murdered in January 2025 after exposing severe corruption and irregularities in a massive ₹120-crore road construction project.
Since this case was published by BBC and The Guardian, still available online.
Several such murder and attack cases on independent journalists never come on mainstream media and immediately erased from social media by the stake holders.
Regular practice of truth taken away from the light.
Some other incidents were published by CPJ ( Committee to Protect Journalists),
On 7th May 2026, “Indian Journalist Mob Attacked by Questioning Jharkhand Minister”,
On 29th April 2026, “Indian Authorities in the Southern State of Telengana must drop their investigation into social media news outlet TeluguScribe and stop the misuse of anti-terror legislation to silence criticism in the press.”
These cases are few grains of sand in the largest dessert where corruption become a part and parcel of life.
With such narratives,
Why India has press freedom issues and how it is rooted in the system and society?
These mobs are armaments of authorities.
Instead of playing the game of many excuses, authorities need to understand diplomacy is not a government property and genuine journalism is an enemy.
