Reporting the news consists in telling what happened, when, and where.

Journalism consists in interpreting what happened, and perhaps may include speculating why and how, with the purpose of helping people understand it.

Re-creating a scenario by broadcasting and/or re-broadcasting "the actual events" borders on pandering, inciting, gloating, and numerous other unfavorable (to many of us) activities, and generally implies a link to the attitude of "anything to draw in the lowest denominator among listeners/readers/viewers." We generally lump it all under the generic name of "advertising" and/or "publicity."

Unfortunately, many in "the industry" would consider a report of a highway accident incomplete without pictures of the dead, and perhaps pulling open a few of the wounds on the injured to make sure there's enough blood and gore for "good pictures."

We have, unfortunately, one local TV newsperson who considers no report "effective" unless she can show someone crying; and has no hesitation in badgering innocents to get "her effect." It will be real news someday when someone punches her out properly and appropriately - but they probably won't show that news item.

John