Media Misses Major International Event

So what would you say about a media that missed an event that fulfilled the following qualifications?

1.) Largest international event in months
2.) Largest event ever hosted by Australia
3.) Event which attracted people and major names from every continent
4.) Over 200,000 young people gathered in one place, without drugs or violence or rock-music festivals a part of the equation?

Such was World Youth Day 2008, and the media was blatantly biased in not covering the event. As I watched and read the news throughout the week, any brief mention of the event focused on the minor presence of protesters on the outskirts.

That's right: 200,000 people gathered in the name of peace and love, and the only thing the media could focus on was the guy standing on the sidelines dressed like a giant condom.

Truth was proclaimed from the rooftops, and the media predictably stuck their fingers in their ears and said "no no no... I'm not listening!"

Such slighting only confirms one thing: contemporary culture is not ambivalent towards the Church: it is afraid of it.

How is this for a headline?
"Over 200,000 gather to discuss and celebrate Truth while protesters exchange empty and unsupported slogans on the outskirts."

As a Catholic, I draw great pride from every protester, dissenter, cynic, and uninformed (so-called) atheist who criticizes or (attempts to) ignore my Church. After all, if we weren't on to something important -- and if we weren't a major international power -- they wouldn't be wasting so much energy on us.

Back to world youth day -- a wonderful article describing the event was written by Sophie Caldecott with Zenit. Enjoy.

http://www.zenit.org/article-23391?l=english