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