Lawyers will no longer be able to do journalism along with advocacy, know what is the whole matter

Pavan Paruthi - Gwalior

New Delhi: If you are a lawyer and are also doing journalism, then this news is very important for you because now the Supreme Court is going to give such a decision in which you will not be able to work together in both these professions. The Bar Council of India (BCI) informed the Supreme Court that advocates cannot do full-time journalism. This ban has been imposed under the BCI's Conduct Rules 49, which limits the professional activities of lawyers. The case was related to a petitioner advocate who also worked as a freelance journalist. He had sought dismissal of the defamation case filed against him. The petitioner's lawyer assured the court that his client would stop journalistic activities to focus on his legal practice, whether it is full-time or part-time.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has clarified to the Supreme Court that advocates cannot do full-time journalism. This ban has been imposed under the BCI's Conduct Rules. These rules strictly control the professional activities of lawyers. The purpose of this decision is to maintain the dedication of lawyers in the profession and to bind their field of work within the prescribed limits.

The question was raised before the bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih whether advocates can be full-time journalists? The BCI lawyer told the court that advocates are prohibited from playing a dual role as a lawyer and an accredited journalist. The BCI also said that advocates should avoid active participation in any profession other than the practice of law, as it interferes with their professional obligations. The Supreme Court said in its order that the BCI has made it clear that full-time journalism is not an activity for advocates. This decision is to prevent a conflict between the fields of work of lawyers and media professionals. The next hearing of this case will be in February 2025.