ST JAMES, Jamaica — The S Hotel, Montego Bay announced Friday the transformation of its S Club facility, traditionally used for in-house entertainment, into a base of operations for active media personnel in western Jamaica.

The move comes as reporters continue to confront significant reporting hurdles, including unreliable phone connectivity and intermittent email access challenges, intensified in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Owner Christopher Issa described the initiative as “the least we could do” in light of the media’s critical role in ensuring accurate and timely information reaches the public.

“We are very happy to be able to do this… and at such a time when there are challenges… really challenges as it relates to having access to get their work done,” Issa stated.

A free and independent press is essential to any functioning democracy, Issa noted, emphasising that reliable communication is a cornerstone of good journalism.

“Having a base where they are able to access emails and make phone calls is very important and we are happy to be able to facilitate,” he added.

Ann-Marie Goffe Pryce, general manager of the S Hotel, echoed the sentiment, underscoring the hotel’s commitment to regional journalists.

“Ensuring that our regional journalists have a stable space to work from is a responsibility we take seriously. The S Club will provide reliable connectivity and a conducive environment so they can focus on producing accurate content for the public.”

“This partnership reflects our commitment to the community and to the integrity of information, especially as the country recovers from Hurricane Melissa. We’re glad to play a part in supporting essential media operations,” she added.

President of the Western Jamaica Media Association (WJMA), Janet Silvera, in highlighting the extreme conditions journalists faced in gathering news, said several entities were contacted to see how best they were able to assist.

She recalled reporters pulling over on highways late at night to access the internet, and some even camping out at police stations to secure connectivity.

“I mean it was becoming untenable,” she said.

Silvera attributed the swift response to proactive leadership from the S Hotel management.

“Providing a base with consistent connectivity and workspace is a meaningful intervention that will help reporters deliver timely, accurate stories,” she explained.

She also praised the collaboration as an example of the hospitality sector partnering with the media to sustain a healthy information environment for the public.

The S Hotel, Montego Bay is a premier hospitality establishment renowned for its community stewardship. By repurposing the S Club as a media base, the hotel seeks to support frontline professionals in delivering trustworthy news to Jamaica’s public.

Journalists will be granted access during designated hours to ensure a reliable, stable space for filing stories, conducting interviews and coordinating dispatches.

Silvera added that the collaboration with the S Hotel will not only assist reporters in the immediate post-hurricane recovery period but also establish a sustainable model for future emergencies, reinforcing the importance of stable information channels in times of national need.