Absence of Malice is a drama-mystery about a murder suspect, Michael Gallagher, played by Paul Newman, a news writer, Megan, played by Sally Field, who exposes his status under investigation, and the events that take place as a result of careless reporting, cruel framing of people, and conserving reputations.
Megan is unknowingly guided to formulated files about an investigation of Michael as a key suspect in a disappearance of a woman. After she writes about it in the Miami newspaper, Michael Gallagher feels wronged in the article and goes to Megan to find out where the story came from. In pursuit of the story behind Michael's investigation, Megan speaks to Michael's good lady friend, who reveals her abortion and asks for Megan to keep this a secret, as she is a Catholic and is Assistant principal at a Catholic school. When Megan goes against her wishes and publishes the article containing her secret, the friend is devastated and commits suicide. This emotionally strikes Megan, and in attempt to make amends with Michael, reveals to him the source of her first article about his investigation. Government officials have a hand in illegally stalking Michael, and lead Megan to believe Michael is truly guilty of the disappearance. As Michael struggles to find justice and Megan searches for the truth, they build an "involved" relationship that only gets in the way of their respective goals. In the end, Michael is let off investigation of the case and Megan is determined to become a responsible, good reporter.
10 things I learned from the movie to help me become a better journalist:
1. Check your facts before you publish them, make sure your sources are reliable
2. Don't assume things based on how things seem
3. Remember the people you write incriminating things about are people who have feelings, friends, families.
4. Be alert to key events and changes that occur relating to a story you have
5. Don't report on someone you have a relationship with/vice versa
6. Keep a pad of paper and pen at all times to record important and relevant information
7. Always consult with your editor when in doubt
8. Remember that people's reactions to your articles are not your fault
9. Ask questions to your interviewees, don't leave open-ended statements such as, "tell me about _____"
10. Don't divulge information that could make you lose your job. A reporters job is to report, not to make people happy.
