Cement plant accused of using journalists to improve image

A cement plant is alleged to have used images of visiting journalists in promotional material, apparently in an attempt to bolster its public image, according to the Myanmar Times.

A billboard was placed outside Mawlamyine Cement Ltd's factory featuring an image of the journalists with the caption, ‘The local reporters are visiting our company as observers’.

Although monthly environmental impact assessment reports are submitted by the local government, three protests have been staged in opposition to the coal-fired power plant that the cement factory uses over fears of pollution.

“They didn’t get permission from the reporters to include their images on the billboard,” said KoZaw Lwin Htut, a spokesman for the group of journalists. They are yet to decide whether they will file a formal complaint against the company.

The plant produces approximately 5000tpd of cement.