Over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed that our LinkedIn Feed seems to be filled with two kinds of posts. The first is from all the newly graduated college and university students from journalism or mass communications schools proudly announcing their graduation. Many are also announcing that they are about to start their first job in television news. Let us add our congratulations to all of you on launching your careers, and we wish you each success and happiness in your new positions. For those of you still looking for that first job, don’t give up hope! Continue the process of applying for and interviewing for opportunities in your chosen field. We know it can be a grind out there right now. Be creative and consider expanding your job search to increase your chances of proving to a potential employer what you can bring to their newsroom. Best of luck in your search.

On the other hand, the second kind of post we’re seeing lately are dispatches from those folks who have seemingly escaped from the terrible time they had when they previously worked in television news. Much of their criticism of the business appears to have been triggered by the recent story of a pregnant anchor in Albany, New York, whose water broke before the morning newscast began. The fact that she stayed and anchored the show before going to the hospital and later gave birth to her first child has led to a fair amount of commentary. (We’ll add here the critical detail that both mother and her newborn son are reported to be doing well, so congratulations to them both.)

Now we aren’t sure why WRGB-TV decided it was necessary to make a viral moment out of their anchor’s decision to stay at work after her water broke. Or why her co-anchor documented this on social media in real time, rather than insisting she leave work and head to the hospital. Frankly, we aren’t sure of any of the circumstances in this situation, and we aren’t about to judge anyone’s actions in this matter.

Something about that whole idea of getting all the facts before writing the story about what happened and why.

However, the nature of the story led to it being widely reported (according to the TV station’s website), including getting a “shout-out” from CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert. Then it became fodder for those who would criticize the anchor’s decision to stay at work and the notion that the demands of her newsroom or the entire industry itself somehow compelled her to make a questionable decision.

At this point, we want to state that we have neither the medical knowledge nor the life experience to judge whether her decision to stay at work was the right thing to do. And we’d certainly be shocked if there was any manager who would suggest that she make her priority at that moment about staying in the anchor chair. We’ll add that if this were a newsroom we were in charge of, we would be respectful of a colleague’s desire to keep working — but would have insisted that she leave immediately for numerous reasons, the primary one being that it would be the right thing for everyone involved.

Heck, we would have offered to drive her to the hospital as we have done on a few occasions over the years.

As for the critics who suggest that this woman’s decision was somehow forced upon her by the overwhelming, unrelenting, and inhumane demands of working in the television news business, that rings a bit hollow. Yes, we understand that the work can sometimes be challenging, the pay isn’t always what it should be, and it often requires some personal sacrifice. To those points, we would ask, what job isn’t described that way? Other professions are undoubtedly subject to the same challenges or far worse. (Teaching in a public school comes immediately to mind as one prominent example.)

Every job is called work for a reason.

We acknowledge some potential bias in this view, given our experience working in a television newsroom for fifty years before stepping away a few months ago. Yes, along the way, we worked for and with some who might have suggested that the job was more important than anything else. Some people do think and manage that way, though we believe their number has dropped in recent decades as the idea of work-life balance has gained significantly more importance for both employees and employers.

Sacrifice along the way, in terms of missing important events with family or friends? Check. Working in situations that probably weren’t 100% safe and secure? Absolutely. A feeling of not being adequately appreciated or compensated for our effort? Of course. But feeling like we had no choice but to stay in the job when we knew we could do something or anything else? Never.

And before you retort with the obvious “what about those under a contract?”, let us point out that a contract specifies terms and conditions of employment. A contract cannot force a person to work, should they choose to leave or not to work. Forcing someone to work is considered involuntary servitude, which is prohibited by law. (Careful disclaimer, this is not to be regarded as legal advice. Contracts can specify damages for a breach of contract. Anyone considering action that could lead to breaking a contract should definitely seek legal counsel before doing so.)

Legal considerations notwithstanding, our point remains that everyone is entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” That last part is mostly within our own control. We get that working in television news isn’t for everyone. Working in certain situations just may not be right for you. But there are always alternatives. The idea that the job demands are so unreasonable seems a bit hyperbolic. Especially when compared to those working in many other fields. Talk to those who work on the frontlines of healthcare, for example, and you’ll likely hear stories of things that happen on the job that will make being in a newsroom seem not nearly as bad as you might have thought.

If life for you is ultimately better by doing something else for a living, by all means, go and find what brings you more joy. We sincerely wish you nothing but success in the pursuit of happiness. But perhaps also recognize that others might find joy in the work you left behind. And no, they are not some delusional members of a cult that need to be rescued through some online course or life coaching. They might even enjoy what they do–hopefully at least most of the time.

They are happy to be called journalists. Maybe we should be more grateful that there are still individuals willing to undertake that vital work, even on TV.