Fade-Out: Ronald Reagan's Death Brought out the Best and the Worst of the American News Media

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In the harsh slanting light of the setting sun, Nancy Reagan bent to her husband's casket. She caressed it, as if it were fine porcelain, then lay her head upon it. Stoic all through a difficult week, she finally yielded to her emotions and quivered with grief. Daughter Patti moved in on her left to support her, as did son Ron at her right. A little awkwardly, stepson Michael did the same immediately behind her. Together they formed a triangular composition reminiscent of a Renaissance painting. Anguish was written on the face of all four.

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The scene was so raw and heartbreaking that under normal circumstances it would have constituted an invasion of privacy. But, of course, every …