Freeport mining area (Jubi)
Jayapura, 15/6 (Jubi) – Many Papuans have little understanding of mining issues, an environmentalist said.
Mining is not a new topic, but how information about it and its impact could be accessible and updated by the community remains a question, said environmentalist and lecturer at Communications College (Stikom), Dian Yasmin Wasaraka said during a discussion with students and journalists in Jayapura held by Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) on Saturday (14/6).
“We know that many Papuans who live in the forest, coastal areas and remote islands have little access. My study found that 60 percent of people in towns have access to media. Besides the words need to be simplified and the media should use the local language to make it easy for them to digest the information,” she said.
“Not only that, the public has the right to get clear and comprehensive information to avoid rumors and conflicts,” she added.
Another environmental activist, Robert Mandosir said, media companies and the public need to share a commitment to mining transparency.
“If there is an investment, it means that the process of consultation with the local community must be established,” Mandosir said.
Advocacy and networking of PWYP, Aryanto Nugroho added, report of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) could be an entrance to have access of how much the company revenue sharing to local governments.
“But there are also strictly inaccessible areas. If the government does not have access, how the community would know. EITI report is also hard to be accessed. This is the problem encountered as if there is an intention to hide information, “said Aryanto. (Jubi / Arjuna/ Tina)
