The “upside down newspapers” flashmobbers has struck again, this time simultaneously in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang, in a bid to raise public awareness on self censorship and political intervention in the mainstream media.

NONE Nearly twenty people took part in this third strike in Klang Valley, which took place on a fifty-minute-long LRT ride departing Kelana Jaya ( left ) at 12pm and ending at Wangsa Maju station around 1pm.

The mob repeated their trademark reading of mainstream newspapers upside down and holding placards with the media acronyms like RTM1 and ntv7 the wrong side up, to the consternation of weekend commuters.

   

This time, however, the mob came prepared with flyers which they distributed to onlookers to explain their cause.

   

The fliers are also designed to double as masks which the flashmobbers wear on their operations.

Coordinator Raymond Lim from mob organiser 528 Media Action Group told Malaysiakini during the train ride, “We want to show our concern about media self censorship, because the media should be independent and must not be controlled by (the government).”

NONE He hopes that the public will gain awareness that our media is not free and is being controlled by the government and big companies, resulting in suppression of alternative views.

Met with bewilderment

The LRT commuters showed mixed reactions to the flashmob. Most simply ignored the oddity, while others watched in bewilderment. Some did react and interact with the group, listening to their message.

Malaysiakini however had little success in eliciting comments from the tight-lipped commuters, most of whom were unaware of what was going on despite giving the flyers a quick look.

One commuter Norizan did come forward to comment, “it is not that all in the media is wrong, but perhaps with things like this, some of those media who did wrong will realise it. This is a good way to remind them.”

A Singaporean who refused to be identified said that this kind of expression against government control of the media “can never happen in Singapore.”

NONE Kids were however more responsive seeing the flashmobbers in masks, which they too put on.

The LRT officers were the least amused, meeting the group immediately at Wangsa Maju Station to advise them to disperse, and reminding them that permits were required for such events.

An officer from the Rail Operations Department cited complaints from commuters, but added that RapidKL is not adverse to such activities on their service, as long as prior permission is obtained.

The mob agreed to disperse, but not before visiting nearby restaurants to distribute their flyers, this time without their masks.

No permission no flashmob

The then continued their LRT journey from Wangsa Maju in a more subdued manner, minus masks and active engagement with the commuters in accordance to RapidKL’s requests.

Not so easily deterred, the mob wasted no time in resuming their tactics upon leaving the Taman Jaya LRT premises, putting on a show at the main entrance of Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya.

NONE Their 20-minute stint was however cut short by the mall’s security, again for not seeking permission.

After this last setback the mob decided to call it quits. Lim was however satisfied with the day’s activities despite the hiccups.

He believed that they have managed to bring the issue of media freedom to the fore during their short stint.

This is the third flashmob to hit KL streets in as many weeks. The first was at KLCC on May 2, the second at Central Market on May 8.

The Penang stint ( left ) saw roughly 15 people gathered at Gurney Plaza and a nearby cinema at 12.11pm, spending around seven minutes sitting on the ground and reading their papers upside down outside the mall entrance. 30 people took part in the event in Johor Bahru