In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, Ajulo said that the right to report issues as media practitioners in the country comes with responsibility.
“I want to strongly counsel that the Nigerian media in upholding fundamental freedoms should also strive to uphold and defend national security.
“The balance here is that every right comes with its corresponding responsibility,” he stated.
The legal practitioner advised the Federal Government to constantly engage the media in order not to suffer perception issues.
According to him, any attempt to gag the press or criminalise free speech would not augur well for the country.
Ajulo said that the citizens must also be educated by the press to know that every right comes with its corresponding duty and responsibility.
The lawyer said that free speech should not be construed to mean license to make careless, reckless and violence evoking statements.
“This should however not be construed as suggesting that the Nigerian media should favour the government at the expense of the citizens’ right to proper information.
He urged the government to always clarify issues of national interest by engaging and seeking the understanding of the media rather than the use of coercion.
Ajulo said: “The role of the media in stabilising Nigeria’s democracy can be viewed from the standpoint of their duties as affirmed under the constitution.
“There is no gainsaying the point that the Nigerian media has been at the forefront of advocacy for citizens’ participation in governance.’’
He stated that the Nigeria media remained the real defenders of this core democratic right.