Holy Money! $25K To Cover the Pope

philly.com photo

Media covering big events such as conventions and debates are used to having to pay fees to help cover the costs associated with the infrastructure, such as press risers and extra power.

But, according to Hadas Gold at Politico, media covering Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia at the World Meeting of Families and his mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway this week were struck with just how high of a cost the media was being asked to pay for a guaranteed spot, even for something as basic as a seat in the filing center.

According to a rate card, the biggest package called the "Anchor Booth", costs $25,000. It includes a 12 foot by 12 foot anchor booth, 20 amps power, a four by eight foot stand up position, a 16 foot by 16 foot private office and a satellite truck parking space. Extra furniture, internet, and power can be added for an additional fee.

Other options include a stand up platform position, which costs $7,500, a shared stand up position for $4,500 and a seated platform position for $1,500. A workstation spot in the auxiliary filing center (which includes desk space, chair, power outlet, internet and phone line) is $1,000.

Kenneth Gavin, the director of communications for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said the costs were due to the lack of existing infrastructure in the city and that it wasn't under the control of the Archdiocese or the World Meeting of Families.

ESM Productions is the firm running the media infrastructure for the event.

Read More Now