When in Spring Hope, collaborate

Greetings. My name is Justin Hayes, and earlier this month, I gladly accepted an offer to become the news editor of The Enterprise.

Since then, I’m pleased to report a manageable learning curve and smooth sailing — highlighted by an inspired discussion in The Wilson Times’ newsroom last week.

At issue was a photograph, taken by one of our writers during a routine midday assignment, and how it might best serve the coverage.

By degrees, those present ambled to his desk to view the file.

The focus was tack-sharp.

Exposure, as far as I could tell, was balanced.

A full frame it was, rest assured, and one to make readers look twice.

It also sourced instant debate, which ranged from the person’s physical well-being to whether or not it  might become an untidy meme to spark wild commentary on social media.

Each position had merit — there were no empty takes.

And by discussion’s end, it was decided the piece would be accented by another image, our staff erring on the side of sensitivity to both subject and subscriber.

It was also when I knew I’d found the right place to hang my next keyboard.

Because in a time of skeleton-crew newsrooms and dwindling team efforts, our talk was just that — a group coming together to make a healthy editorial decision.

It was the kind of thoughtfulness that I want landing on each page of your weekly Enterprise.

As best we can, and with dedication to the truth, our team will handle your meetings, civic events, ball games, personal stories and other items of local interest in tried-and-true fashion, while also creating a digital platform to expand our reach.

The process will take some work, but it’s worth the effort.

Since 2016, I’ve covered prep sports and cold cases in Goldsboro and Roanoke Rapids, developing traditional and non-traditional content for the News-Argus and the Herald — buoyed at each stop by savvy mentors who guided my work and willing readers who embraced different types of storytelling.

Over time, I am optimistic the same can be accomplished at The Enterprise.

Justin Hayes is The Enterprise’s news editor. Contact him at jhayes@springhopeenterprise.com .

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