The National Media Commission

(NMC) on Wednesday asked the Chronicle newspaper to apologise

to the Foreign Minister Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni over a story on a

report commissioned by the Auditor-General on the Minister.
In the NMC's ruling following a complaint lodged by the

Minister, it said:
"Every newspaper has the right and a duty to hold those who seek

or hold public offices accountable. But this must be done in a fair

and balanced way. The Chronicle story on the complainant lacked

balance and fairness. The paper must therefore apologize to

Honourable Mumuni."
NMC, however, said Alhaji Mumuni's request for an undertaking

by Chronicle "not to repeat or further publish these assertions or

words to a similar effect" cannot be sustained, for it would be a

clog on journalistic inquiry into his activities as a person in pubic

life.
"The newspaper can continue to investigate and publish material

related to the matter. But any such publication must meet the

required ethical standards. In other words, any material The

Chronicle chooses to publish about Hon. Mumuni or any other

matter must be truthful, fair and balanced."
The NMC noted that between the parties, the source of the audit

report was presented as a crucial point.
"Resolving that question would require an exploration into two

complex issues - parliamentary procedures and the media source

protection rule. Since this matter can be resolved without these

complexities, the Commission would reserve that point."