The Australian editorialises generously on the events of World Youth Day

Under the heading Pilgrims Renew an Ancient Faith The Australian editorial of 21 July 2008 made up the balance of the events of World Youth Day and saw that it was good. So Australia's only national newspaper judged the organization and the happenings of World Youth Day, saw that it was good and, crucially importantly, said so.

I repeat, The Australian said that an event organised by Cardinal Pell and his team, under the auspices of the Catholic Church, was a success not only organisationally, but spiritually, morally and philosophically. There was good advice to be had from Pope Benedict and Cardinal Pell that was not only relevant for Catholics but for the rest of Australia. In terms of the way the media in Australia has generally reported on things Catholic for decades, and the way The Australian has reported on such matters in the past, this is a major change.

Anybody who has read my two books on the media and early comments on this website will know that I have been savagely critical of The Australian, particularly of its editorials. On the evidence - not only as far as the present editorial goes - I now have to change my opinion, and admit there has been a big editorial change in this News Ltd newspaper.

As I have said before, Fox News television and conservative radio hosts in America are catering to a big audience that in relative terms is just as big in Australia. I hope News Ltd's John Hartigan sees what's at stake and invests in a media market that remains for the most part drastically underexploited in Australia.

The opening paragraphs of the editorial follow:

We salute World Youth Day's organisers for bringing such an exciting, uplifting event Down Under

REGARDLESS of belief, the questions Pope Benedict XVI put to 400,000 attentive mass-goers at Randwick are pertinent to all Australians. “What will you leave to the next generation?” the 264th successor of St Peter asked yesterday. “Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure? ... What legacy will you leave to young people yet to come? What difference will you make?”

While deeply special to Catholics, who comprise more than a quarter of our nation, and to Sydneysiders who welcomed the pilgrims with warmth and generosity, World Youth Day belonged to all Australians. Like the 2000 Olympics, it stands proud as one of our great successes of the early 21st century - well-organised on a vast scale, secure and happy. We salute Cardinal George Pell for his vision and courage in securing it and Bishop Anthony Fisher and Danny Casey for making it work. Follow the link for the rest

comments: gerardwilson01@optusnet.com.au