The photographs on this page are staged. But you have probably seen images like them a million times. They are ubiquitous on the six o'clock news. When seen on television they appear then disappear into the ether, almost before they can be imprinted on our consciousness. In frozen photographic moments, the images lend themselves to a more critical analysis of the "pick-up."

The pick-up refers to the most dreaded job every reporter must be initiated through. It involves an impossible mixture of feigned empathy and cruel disregard for the grief of a family in mourning. It begins with the initial incident. Television communicates most effectively on an emotive level, so the standard question at these scenes is, "But, how do you feel?" I've always thought the best answer would be: "How do you think I feel, asshole."

The power of the camera elicits answers, however, that are often expressions of genuine pain and anxiety. Coming upon such a scene is emotionally conflicting. There's a thankless job to be done, which has to be completed with technical efficiency because of a deadline. It requires compassion and humanity to speak to a shocked victim or witness.

To knock on that door for the first time, behind which you're not sure whether you'll find a family member, or friend who'll speak respectfully of the dead, or tell you to fuck off, is the improbable moment of truth for a reporter. I've said things like, "I just want to humanize another tragedy." To be able to knock on the door is the measure of a reporter's mettle. Getting the photograph is the absurd measure of a reporter's effectiveness. I've encountered every reaction at the door, and I have never felt good about it.

From the accident scene, to the door, to the edit bay, to the live location, the scenario doesn't end until the director gives the all-clear after the "live hit." It's a minute:thirty news item cycle that is repeated every day on every newscast. I'm not sure what the allure of mangled metal and flesh is, or what is so compelling about a high school graduation photograph of the deceased, but this is what makes up a large part of the six o'clock news, the news that I gather for you to complicitly watch.

Wilson Lee is the parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa for Citytv's Citypulse news and CP24. He is the creator of the concept minute:thirty, which refers to the standard length of news stories on most nightly newscasts. minute:thirty is a critical exploration of the news beyond the headlines.

Photos are by Ken Enlow

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