Magazine to highlight exploitation

Magazine to highlight exploitation

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Reporters in South Kalimantan are
joining forces to publish an environmental magazine amid
heightened concerns of over-exploitation in the province.

Suara Lingkungan (the voice of the environment) or Suling,
will be published monthly by local environmental reporters. The
Kehati Foundation, an environmental watchdog co-founded by noted
economist Emil Salim, is offering support.

The head of the province's journalist's union for
environmental issues, Faturahman, said Wednesday that local
coverage was poor.

Reports on the environment relied only on statements by public
officials and were often intertwined with local political issues,
Faturahman said.

He hoped Suling could raise public awareness about the
environment and be a reference for other media.

It was not clear when Suling will be published.

South Kalimantan's rich natural resources attract various
mining, logging and oil and gas companies.

Regional autonomy has highlighted concerns the provincial
administration is putting economic concerns ahead of
environmental concerns. -- Antara