Local media reporters in Chicago claim that Mayor Lori Lightfoot chooses who will interview her one-on-one based on the reporter’s race.
Mary Ann Ahern, an NBC 5 political reporter, made the claim on twitter, writing: “As @chicagosmayor reaches her two year midway point as mayor, her spokeswoman says Lightfoot is granting 1 on 1 interviews – only to Black or Brown journalists.”
That seems like a bold claim, but Chicago PBS anchor Paris Schultz responded underneath her post that he “was told the same thing.”
George Cardenas, the Alderman of the 12th Ward and Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Energy, skeptically tweeted in response: “How is that even true, be serious.” To what Heather Cherone, a political Chicago reporter for WTTW (Chicago PBS), responded “I can confirm, alderman.”
Australian political commentator Rita Panahi responded to the allegations by writing on Twitter: “More ‘anti-racist’ racism. Almost amusing how regressive race-obsession is celebrated among the Left.”
One user commented: “It’s called “Racism in sheep’s clothing”, delivered as a Woke virtue signaling service.” Another asked if Asians would be allowed to interview her, and that if the country was bringing back the “one-drop rule.”
Zaid Jilani, a progressive reporter, asked if she would also then require DNA tests, to make sure she upholds the rule.
“It is unclear when such a practice was enacted and if it only applies to local reporters, particularly after her MSNBC appearance with Stephanie Ruhle on Monday,” Fox News reported. “During her MSNBC interview, Lightfoot told Ruhle she would ‘encourage’ Chicago residents to continue wearing masks despite the new CDC guidance allowing those with the coronavirus vaccine to go without them.”
“It’s a shame that in 2021, the City Hall press corps is overwhelmingly White in a city where more than half of the city identifies as Black, Latino, AAPI or Native American,” Lightfoot wrote on Wednesday. “Diversity and inclusion is imperative across all institutions including media. In order to progress we must change.”
She then continued, “This is exactly why I’m being intentional about prioritizing media requests from POC reporters on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of my inauguration as mayor of this great city. This is an imbalance that needs to change. Chicago is a world-class city. Our local media should reflect the multiple cultures that comprise it… It’s time for the newsrooms to do better and build teams that reflect the make-up of our city.”
