Because it makes a presumption beyond what the data shows, science journalism needs to tell us the facts as we know it, not leap to claims and statements which are not supported by the available data.
We actually know quite a bit about brain death, the question of consciousness is not as far off as you think, spoiler, its in the brain
Science has looked at NDE's, its actually quite well studied now, and the answers are fascinating and science based, sorry so far no supernatural forces at work at brain death.
http://io9.com/a-new-scientific-expl...ces-1110395345
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...nd-near-death/
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23672150
These 3 should get you up to speed on what we do know, and what we still need to find answers to.