Absence of Malice

Meg is an unethical journalist who cares more about her stories then the lives of others. She was first wrong in looking in the police file left on the desk. If she did not have permission to open it from the officer, she certainly didn't have the right to publish information from it. The world does not have the right to know that Gallahger is under investigation since no evidence has really been discovered.

She acts unethically again when she publishes the article about the abortion. Not only did it ruin the girls life, but the girl asked for it not be reported before she said it. The abortion story was not backed by any facts. Before publishing such a story, Meg should have looked for proof. She should not publish the story based solely on believing what the girl said. She could have at least consulted Gallahger to see if he would corroborate the story.