August 18, 2025

From journalism to the social sector

How different can it be?

by Zoya Hussain

2 min read

1

This article is a satirical take on the experience of working in the social sector versus working in newsrooms as a journalist. The first image describes work-life balance in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, 'Our organisation policy encourages you to take leave whenever you're sick...but please finish your six critical tasks as well.' On the right, for newsrooms, it says: '101° fever? Push through. You could have at least filed 102 words. If you can type between sneezes, you can make deadlines'._Nonprofit humour

2

The image describes communication styles in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, “We ask a lot of questions from a lot of people (usually over and over again for at least 1.5 hours at a time).” On the right, for newsrooms, it says: “The only person you should be asking questions is your source—preferably mid-answer.” _Nonprofit humour

3

The image describes deadlines in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, “We are not in a rush, let's get it right before we launch. (While also ensuring that the team, across levels, are stressed the entire time.)” On the right, for newsrooms, it says: “Publish this before the news cycle ends—oh wait, we’ve already moved on.” _Nonprofit humour

4

The image describes covering conferences in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, “Network, understand their work, ask thoughtful questions, eat all the snacks, and make sure you get invited to the next convening.” On the right, for newsrooms, it says: “Do all of that—and file 500 words before the keynote speech is over.” _Nonprofit humour

5

The image describes 'jargon wars' in the social sector versus newsrooms. For the social sector it says, 'Theory of change, capacity building, social return on investment'. For newsrooms it says, 'Lead/lede, desk copy, off the record'._Nonprofit humour

6

The image describes 'informal intel' in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, “You know it, you can't put it in the report, but you can tell your 20 closest friends and family about it.” On the right, for newsrooms, it says: “Off the record: You know it, and you probably shouldn’t print it—but if it’s big enough, someone else might.” _Nonprofit humour

7

The image describes bylines in the social sector versus newsrooms. On the left, for the social sector, the text says, “Our founder/CEO usually attends large conferences and gatherings to talk about how we can't take any credit for all the lives we've touched (because ‘it's the community that does it after all’).” On the right, for newsrooms, it says: “My name’s not on it? Then why did I even write it—charity?” _Nonprofit humour

Tags: Nonprofit Humour

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Zoya Hussain

Zoya Hussain is an editorial analyst at IDR, where she is responsible for writing, editing, and publishing content. She is an award-winning journalist and a former contributing reporter at Mongabay India. She has also worked at leading publications such as The Indian Express, CNN News18, and Times Internet as a reporter and at DataLEADS as a fact-checker. Zoya has been a fellow with the Reuters Institute, focusing on training on social inclusion as well as dual-track training on climate action, inequality, and labour. She holds master’s degrees in convergent journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia and a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from IP University.

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