Community Radio Pledge (pdf) - amarc

Slander and libelLibel and slander denote acts targeted at others with a view to malignthe prestige. An individual has full right to protect one’s prestige. No onehas the right to harm the prestige of an individual in unauthorized manner.This explains why Nepalese laws have put slander and libel under both civiland criminal acts depending on the nature. While civil cases end incompensation criminal cases lead to both compensation and punishment.Slander and Libel Act, 1959 has been enacted in Nepal with a view to protectthe prestige and dignity of the people. The act has defined circumstanceswhich are deemed to add up to slander and libel as the case may be.Libel and slander law is attracted when1. An individual is charged of wrong-doing or when anything is publishedor broadcast knowing fully well that the same has been done with theulterior motive or knowing very well that the same will damage theimage, or if there is enough ground to substantiate this,2. Just in the event a dead person is charged of something and had itbeen so that he would have felt bad about it had he been alive or justin the event his family and his close relatives feel bad about what hasbeen said about an individual.3. Allegation hurled in round about manner or in sarcasm4. Just in the event someone’s character is deliberately assassinated or ifsomeone is wrongly accused with ulterior motive or if such things aredisseminated.Libel and slander are not attracted when- An individual has to speak out the truth in the greater interest of thegeneral public.- Some remark has come related to the character demonstrated by a civilservant while dispensing his official duty or when something has beensubtly said about it with good intention.- Something has been said subtly about links of an individual with publicissue with good intention.- A real report has been published about what is going on in the court oflaw.- A view has been subtly expressed in good faith about merits anddemerits of a settled court case or character of the person who may bethe defendants, plaintiff, witness or heir.98