Freedom Forum welcomes the Patan High Court decision to acquit comedian Pranesh Gautam in case of character assassination over a film review. The High Court upheld the Kathmandu District Court decision that the film review made by comedian Gautam does not assassinate character. In the very beginning- before two years- Freedom Forum had condemned the arrest of the artist Gautam. Film Director Milan Chams (film Bir Bikram-2) had complained in the police initially arguing that the film review made in a satirical way by Gautam assassinated the character of filmmakers and artists. Although the case was decided by Kathmandu District Court in favour of Gautam, it was later reached the Patan High Court. With the complaint by Chams, the police had detained Gautam for eight days two years back. To this, FF Executive Chief Taranath Dahal observed, "High Court decision in favour of comedian Gautam has respected well citizen's right to freedom of expression. Also, it clearly shows that Electronic Transaction Act is the most misused law to silence people in Nepal. The progressive decision of Court sets precedent so that anyone exercising freedom of expression online/offline would not be victimized in future." For More Freedom Forum Thapathali, Kathmandu Nepal
Freedom Forum is a prominent non-governmental organization in Nepal dedicated to institutionalizing democracy, protecting and promoting human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression, right to information, promoting audit accountability, open and accountable budget, public finance reforms, citizen engagement in public finance management and citizen participation in audit. Established in February 2005, the organization emerged in response to the political turmoil following Former King Gyanendra’s coup dated February 1, 2005, which imposed severe restrictions on media and democratic rights. A group of media professionals, legal experts, and academics founded Freedom Forum to safeguard Nepal’s hard-earned democratic freedoms during this repressive period.
