There are several different private Facebook groups created to give fed-up journalists a place to vent.

However, not every group member is ready to lend a sympathetic ear. In private Facebook journalist groups, like MMJane or Storytellers, it’s not uncommon to see someone sharing anecdotes of frustration, exasperation or just plain rage.

From rude viewers to controlling coworkers, there are plenty of reasons to snap. Now I completely understand your desire to write an angry post, but there are others lurking in the shadows just looking for a reason to rat you out.  

You may ask yourself, “Why would a fellow journalist tell my boss anything I said?” Well, if you’ve ever heard the phrase, “being a Karen,” you can begin to understand.

Some people thrive off getting dirt on others, and watching it disrupt their lives.

Before the internet, these are the same people who would take promotion opportunities off the bulletin board. They might’ve even made up lies about colleagues to prevent them from getting a raise.

Not to mention, while posting issues in the heat of the moment might feel cathartic, it may also be seen by a potential employer who isn’t so sympathetic. For example, you were wrongly blamed for writing a poor script one day, so you post in a private group:

“My anchor is a total idiot, and never reads her scripts before the show, making me look bad.” 

With context, this post might seem totally reasonable to you and others involved. But, to a potential employer, this shows you’re not a team player and are easily upset.

Maybe you want to know how to get out of your contract, so you post a simple question in the private Facebook group:

“Did you have to pay to break your contract?”

This question will immediately attract the attention of any coworkers you may have who are members of this group. Whether they go to your boss directly with their conclusions, or they tell another colleague about your post, it will likely get back to your boss eventually. If you weren’t planning to put in your notice yet, you should be now.

So who can we trust anymore, if not our fellow journalists?

It’s a dog eat dog world and, in such a competitive industry, you can really only trust who you know you can trust.

Just because hundreds of strangers have the same job title as you doesn’t mean they are trustworthy. So if you must seek help, or absolutely need to vent in one of these groups, do so anonymously.

That new feature makes it easy to get input, or find answers to tough questions, without giving up your identity. But, an even better alternative is to make real relationships with people you know, and send your concerns and questions to the ones you trust.

Asking for help with a contract, or expressing frustration online, won’t necessarily make you feel better. However, having a real network of professional friends who understand your plight can make all the difference.