Vlado Kovač (Rade Šerbedžija) is a journalist in a Zagreb daily newspaper. One morning, in a drunken outburst, he attacks a newsstand and throws the newspapers to the ground. This prompts a meeting of the journalists' communist organization where Kovač's case is discussed. In the meeting, it transpires that the root cause of his revolt is dissatisfaction with the journalistic freedom in the newspaper: Kovač's article about the workers' strike in the Mikros tools factory was stopped by Mirko, the editor (Tonko Lonza). In the meeting, Kovač is sharply confronted by Tomac (Stevo Žigon) and is defended by Nada (Vera Zima), Kovač's colleague. Things take a turn for the worse for Kovač when Tomac becomes the new editor. He appreciates Kovač as a highly capable journalist and tries to win him over, but Kovač is adamant. Kovač's wife (Milena Zupančič) criticizes him for his self-centeredness and alcohol abuse, leaves him, and files for divorce. There is a turnaround in the Mikros strike when the Party decides to side with the workers, and Tomac now commissions Kovač to write an article similar to the one that was originally censored, which he refuses. Kovač befriends Kos (Fabijan Šovagović), an old journalist. Over time, many similarities emerge between the two: Kos was also highly educated and dedicated to his profession, but grew embittered and dejected over time, sinking into alcoholism. When Kos dies from alcohol overdose, Kovač writes his obituary - only to find it heavily censored in the newspaper on the following day.