Dear Reader | A new year brings new initiatives and a new byline to our team.
Welcome, almost, to 2015.
Since news organizations yearn to be first in coverage, allow me to share the scoop on plans for the new year a few days before the actual flip of the calendar.
The Sun News, and its parent company, The McClatchy News Co., has several initiatives in the works that are aimed at using the new technology to provide deeper coverage with more multimedia components tailored for our ever-growing stable of delivery sources: tablet; smartphone; desktop; and whatever comes next.
“I don’t care about all that,” I can hear some of you saying. “I just want my newspaper in my hands as I drink my morning coffee.”
Never fear, we’re not doing away with that. But as I’ve said in this space (many times) before, we must continue to explore the newest ways readers/viewers get their information so that we can continue to provide the news they need to understand local, national and even international issues.
Plus, it allows us to have a little more fun sometimes. Really, did you ever think you’d be able to watch a master biscuitmaker at work, and then be able to share the video with your friends?
We’ll also be rearranging some content to streamline our print edition, and are even adding a puzzle or two. In addition, we’ll be continuing to refine and increase our news and feature videos to give you even more reason to check us out online.
On the subject of ‘new’
By now sharp-eyed readers will have noticed a new staff byline on our photos and videos: JLee. That’s Jason Lee to those of you who are from ‘round here.
Jay is one in a long line of Lees in Horry County. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the Citadel , but that didn’t provide a direct path to multimedia journalism. Rather, he eventually opted out of one successful career to pursue his passion. I don’t think I can express his decision and the results any more eloquently than he does in his biography.
“A few years ago I decided to change my life. It was not that I had a bad life. On the contrary, I earned a good living, was ‘successful’ in my field, and was … comfortable … bored.
“In 2002 I started over. I traded my briefcase for a camera bag and immersed myself in photojournalism.
“Since then I’ve eaten rice and beans with Haitian villagers, clung to lamp posts in hurricanes, waded through the fetid mud of the Asian Tsunami and been blown off my feet by suicide bombers in the Iraq desert. I’ve been moved to tears by death row inmates, drug-addicts in rehab and children in war zones. I’ve laughed on the porches of farm houses and between the booths at small town festivals.
“Photojournalism has not only allowed for all that but demanded those things from me. I made the right decision. I’ve found my passion. I’m learning to be a better journalist and a better person.”
We feel lucky to have him on our award-winning multimedia team. We are sure you’ll agree as you see the work he produces to capture your world.
Whether you do, or don’t, I’m sure you’ll let me know. And I appreciate your candor. Happy New Year in advance to our readers. Thanks for all you do to remind us what’s important about what we do.
This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Dear Reader | A new year brings new initiatives and a new byline to our team. ."