I agree it's sad that the MSM has largely ignored the protests so far, but sympathetic social status is not the only way to get attention.

The thing that really gets the MSM interested in a big story like this is when it fits into a narrative that doesn't undermine their corporate funders. For example, if the protesters had turned violent they'd be all over this like white on rice, as it let's them paint the protestors in a less favourable light. They're only reluctant to get involved because they'll find it hard to spin the story the way they want to.