An editor has pledged to make “better use” of photography after taking over a weekly newspaper.

Rodney Edwards has also pledged a fresh emphasis on investigative journalism and getting reporters out into the County Fermanagh communities covered by the Impartial Reporter.

Rodney was unveiled in June as the new editor of Enniskillen weekly, where he previously served as deputy editor before joining Ireland’s Sunday Independent three years ago, and has now taken over the role from his predecessor Mark Conway.

In a first-person piece reintroducing himself to readers, he spoke of his “overwhelming joy” at returning to the Reporter.

Rodney, pictured, wrote: “To follow in the footsteps of William Trimble, Mervyn Dane, Denzil McDaniel, Sarah Saunderson — still our only ever female editor — Mark Conway and others is the greatest honour of my professional life. It feels like coming home.

“Recently, I’ve spent weeks integrating back into this community after three years at the Sunday Independent in Dublin.

“When I handed in my notice and accepted this role, Alan English, the Sunday Independent’s editor and former editor of the Limerick Leader, told me: ‘I could never stand in the way of you editing your hometown paper.’ His words reaffirmed my decision.”

Discussing his plans for the paper, he added: “In the coming weeks, you will notice some changes to the Impartial Reporter — it will look slightly different, and there will be a renewed focus on original journalism, investigations and a better use of photography from our award-winning John McVitty and others.

“The new-look paper will reflect the vibrancy of our society. The writing will be more compelling, drawing readers into the stories that matter most.

“But at its heart will be extensive news and sports coverage, lively opinion and more. I have asked our reporters to get out into our community more than ever.

“As editor, I will be different and I will do things differently. But I have learned from the best.

“However, the ethos of this paper will remain the same — to inform readers, highlight injustices and champion our people and this place.”