The now former Editor of The Impartial Reporter has swapped paper for glass with a career change following his 22 years of service to this newspaper.

As he departed The Impartial Reporter for the final time last Friday, June 30, Mark Conway commented on the ever increasing issue of ‘fake news’ and remarked: “Journalism is probably more important now than ever.”

Taking a broad overview of the industry, Mark said: “Journalism has changed in how the message gets out there [due to the internet], but the core values must stay the same.

“We reflect what’s going on in the community; the public trusts us to tell their stories, and we hold power to account.”

Beginning his career in journalism 24 years ago as a freelance football and GAA reporter for this newspaper in 1999, Mark joined the paper on a full-time basis in 2001 as a sports reporter – an opportunity given to him by then Editor Denzil McDaniel, and then Managing Director, Joanna McVey.

He progressed to news editing, taking on the role of Deputy Editor in 2014 when Sarah Saunderson was appointed Editor – a role he himself took on when he stepped into the Editor role on July 1, 2018.

Recalling his career as a sports editor, he remembered significant stories such as Fermanagh getting to an All-Ireland semi-final and going football crazy in 2004; joining Rory McIlroy on the green at the Lough Erne Resort; Ballinamallard FC breaking into the Irish Premier League, as well as the success of local athletes such as Kyle Lafferty, Michael McGovern and rugby player Robert Balocoune playing on national teams.

Speaking about that time, he said: “Sport as a whole became so much more important and so much a part of people’s lives with health and wellbeing, and that was always reflected in the paper.”

His tenure as Editor marked significant news stories for the area, including investigations into historic sexual abuse, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on those issues, he said: “The thing that always stood out for The Impartial Reporter was that people trusted us to tell their story, and that was fairly evident in the sex abuse investigation, followed by the pandemic.”

Describing his departure as “bittersweet”, he said:”The big thing for me is that I was fortunate to work with really good people for 22 years – the memories are the people who you work with.”

Mark has been appointed as Communications and PR Manager for Encirc. Speaking about his new role, he said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Encirc – it is a highly-progressive local company with ambitious plans for the next few years, and I am looking forward to bringing my skills and experiences to the table.

“It will be a new challenge, which appeals to me, and I am very much looking forward to this new chapter.”

Callum Baird, Editor-in-Chief of Newsquest Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Mark has been an exceptional Editor of The Impartial Reporter, and a worthy holder of a prestigious position which stretches back nearly 200 years.

“Mark delivered strong print sales and digital growth in his time as Editor. He has been a pleasure to work with and we wish him all the best as he takes on this new opportunity.

”We’re also really excited about getting to work with Rodney [Edwards] to implement his ambitious plans for the title when he takes over.”

Mark will be succeeded on August 1 by Rodney Edwards as the newly appointed Editor of The Impartial Reporter, with Deputy Editor Shane Dillon currently overseeing the day-to-day business of the paper until then.