The comment baffled both viewers and his co-anchor, not just for the obvious use of profanity but because no one was quite sure what the comment meant.

Anastos apologized but his words have already left their mark via the Web. A Google search of the journalist yields almost an entire first page of search dedicated to news and blog coverage, as well as the video evidence itself.  It’s a good reminder that viewers, readers and friends might forget an accident, but the Internet is extremely unforgiving.

In this day and age it’s critical to check and recheck everything you put out for public consumption, whether to the news media, or on blog comments or posts.  If a potential client, employer or other audience were to Google you (take this opportunity to Google yourself now), what will they find?

Do you engage in healthy discussion and debate that showcases your expertise? Or do you argue for the sake of being heard?  What happens when you search images? Or a blog search, Twitter search or video?

There’s no such thing as “off the record” anymore. Do you feel good about what a search brings up about you?

Rachel Kay