Absence of Malice
If there was ever a reporter who could benefit from a course on investigative journalism, it would be Megan Carter, the zealous but naive reporter in the movie Absence of Malice. In the beginning of the film, Megan is told that the FBI is interested in Micheal Galigher, a businessman whose family has ties to the mob. They are interested in Galigher, because they believe that he can lead them to the individuals who killed another very important person. She begins investigating Galigher and after being intentionally given his file to read during a visit to the head of a special FBI strike force, she begins publishing stories saying that Michael Galigher is under investigation in a murder case. She does not take the time to reach out to Galigher to hear his side of the story, or to verify if what she has is correct. She just runs with what she thinks she knows, with no consideration for whose life would be damaged by the story. Her most grotesque deed is in the film is the printing of the story regarding Galigher’s alibi for the date of the murder. Galigher accompanied his close friend to Atlanta so that she could have an abortion. During an interview with Galigher’s friend, the friend explained to Megan that she is terrified of speaking to her and of the possibility that news of her abortion could be published. She expressed that she is from a Catholic background and that such having her story published would severely damage her reputation and life. Without regard for this concern, Megan prints the story and Galigher’s friend commits suicide. As a reporter, Megan only thinks about the story, never the lives that could be affected by her story.
