Journalist Michael Pryce passes

AMONG the postings on his social network site Facebook, journalist Michael Pryce says he is trying to write a crime novel "which is coming along nicely".

The world may never see that novel as Pryce yesterday died in the United Kingdom after a long bout with cancer.

Born in England some 48 years ago of Jamaican parentage, Pryce started in journalism in 1990, working with the BBC World Services until 1995.

He made his entry on to the Jamaican media landscape in 1997 and quickly became a familiar face, and voice, his British accent giving him distinct recognition covering news events ever since.

At Television Jamaica, where he began his Jamaican stint as a journalist, Pryce jumped into the deep end immediately covering the 1997 general elections with all its tension and unpredictability.

Repeatedly described as a pleasing and affable person, Pryce endeared himself to the Jamaican public, adding a fresh and different voice to evening news reports.

In 2000 Pryce -- who always spoke proudly of his Spanish Town St Catherine roots -- joined CVM TV, comfortably filling the roles of reporter and anchor before moving on to another stint with the BBC in 2002.

Back in Jamaica in 2006 and with CVM, Pryce was diagnosed with cancer -- sending shock waves through the media fraternity and the wider public.

He went to Britain for treatment, defiantly returning to work in 2007 and again jumping into a general election that year.

Ironically, it was in Spanish Town, where he lived as a young child, that Pryce was attacked while covering the elections.

He continued working until early this year when he was hospitalised at the University Hospital of the West Indies before later travelling to the UK for further treatment.

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) yesterday said it mourns the passing of Pryce who, as an active member, attended the association's monthly fete held at RJR Sports Club only days before he was hospitalised.

"Michael's inimitable voice will be sorely missed from the airwaves, but the camaraderie that he brought to the association's events will be fondly remembered," said PAJ president Byron Buckley.

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