Mysore Bar Association to boycott cases against those maligning legal professionals

Mysuru: The Mysore Bar Association’s Executive Committee has resolved that its members will not represent criminal or civil cases filed against individuals or media organisations that broadcast or publish defamatory or derogatory statements against lawyers and the legal profession without verifying the facts.

The decision comes amid recent instances of certain individuals making disparaging remarks against lawyers without fact-checking, which were subsequently circulated widely by television channels, YouTube platforms and social media outlets.

The issue was discussed at length at a meeting of the Association’s Executive Committee, where members pointed out that the legal profession is an integral part of the judicial system and that lawyers, as officers of the court, play an important role in ensuring justice for the public.

They said making baseless allegations against lawyers not only affects the dignity of the profession but could also erode public confidence in the judicial system.

In a press statement, the Association clarified that the decision was not directed against the media as a whole, but against individuals and media platforms that damage the reputation of the legal profession without verifying the facts.

The Association urged media organisations to fact-check reports concerning lawyers and the legal profession before publishing or broadcasting them. It also said media organisations could contact the Association for clarification, if required.