By Ahmad Salkida
SOMEBODY (Someday?), I will write a book about running an independent media platform. In it, I will describe how leadership is less about producing groundbreaking content and more about wrestling with the mental strain and financial instability that come with sustaining a mission-driven organisation.
The Mental Strain
There is a constant dance with self-doubt, a daily battle against the weight of debts, family struggles, and the pressure to appear invincible even as my mental health frays.
Everyone around me expects me to be the superhero, to keep carrying others across even as my own footing slips under the weight of unspoken fears.
A Constantly Changing Team
As team members come and go, I’m forced to restart the cycle of training and realigning while navigating generational differences. Many young team members see the opportunity as a stepping stone, not a calling. The strain of onboarding, managing expectations, and integrating differing perspectives eats away at my mental reserves.
The Talent Deficit and External Pressures
The demand for jobs is overwhelming, yet the pool of truly mission-driven talent is small. Every day brings a flood of requests for placements, adding to the pressures from family and community to create opportunities for them, even if they’re not committed to the mission. These pressures weigh heavily, leaving me feeling pulled in a thousand directions.
Funding and Sustainability
Yet the biggest challenge remains funding. In a broken revenue environment, paying salaries and maintaining quality work is an endless fight. Donors and funders are selective and scarce, while audiences expect free and reliable news. It’s a test of will and creativity to preserve standards and stability against the tide of resource scarcity.
Why Continue?
Amid the exhaustion and isolation, there is purpose: serving the forgotten, nurturing the next generation of journalists, and shining a light where few dare to look. Even as my health and mental state suffer, I keep going.
***Ahmad Salkida is the founder and chief executive officer, CEO, of HumAngle Media and HumAngle Foundation.