(Blogger’s note: This is the post I promised here when I said I’d talk about reporters’ freedom of speech and how far a newspaper should go to build community online. I obviously take a different approach than I intended, but stay with me on this.)

Originally, this post was meant as a warning to newspaper journalists. I planned to offer a biting critique of arrogance in journalism to make reporters aware of how self-righteousness can impact their blogging and their careers.

The headline was “Don’t call your boss a moron in public unless you’re willing to get fired.”

But as I wrote I realized the post would most likely be too harsh to make a convincing argument. So I decided to take a different approach and instead offer another tip for print reporters who blog (and, for that matter, Tweet and regularly use Facebook.)

8. Think before you post. The Internet is a free-wheeling place. Almost anything and everything is acceptable online and can attract a hugely supportive audience. It’s a large part of why the Internet is so entertaining.

But that laissez-faire spirit, when combined with the self-importance inherent in print journalism, also can create a tricky landscape for newspaper reporters to navigate. A blogging newspaper reporter can easily be tricked into believing that he or she has the right to express any opinion online without worrying about repercussions.

But you should stop and take a deep breath before you publish that post, Tweet or Facebook note blasting the business decisions of your newspaper’s corporate owner or questioning the opinions of the public officials on your beat.

Ask yourself this question: If I was on stage in front of a microphone in a packed arena, would I be willing to repeat what I say in this post? Could I deal with the consequences of expressing this opinion, which can include getting fired and/or having my readers question my impartiality?

If the answer is no, delete the post.

If the answer is yes, perhaps you should be spending more time here.

Of course, the potential issues with a blog post might not be that clear. You might write something you think is innocuous only to stir up a hornet’s nest of trouble.

So every once in awhile, take a step back and let a post marinate for a bit before you publish. Allow for the clarity that can come with a few extra hours. Take the time to think about how that post fits in with the overall tone of your blog and the coverage of your beat. See if it follows the seven blogging tips I discussed previously.

You also should occasionally discuss your blog content with someone else. This doesn’t mean running every post past an editor or corporate lackey. Just ask a colleague you respect and trust to check out your blog. Offer to buy lunch in exchange for suggestions on how you can improve.

You might find that a few bucks for a taco and a Coke can help you avoid some of the online landmines that can cost you your career.

For more good tips on using social media, click here.

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