Congressman Makes Case for African-American Media Ownership

(Politic365) — African-Americans need more decision making power and a greater footprint in media ownership, some have argued. One Chicago-area Congressman sat down recently with Politic365 to provide his thoughts on the issue. Common knowledge is that media ownership is the key to telling African-American stories in ways that are culturally-relevant and inspiring. In today’s media climate, ownership is more important than ever at a corporate level where a few companies own several major television, print, online, and radio properties. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) expressed to Politic365 his issue with a perceived lack of initiative in the African-American community of seeking and building on the opportunities we have been afforded. “It bothers me that we don’t have the activist spirit that permeates our community as it used to. Whether it’s media ownership or homeownership, we have to rise,” said Rep. Rush in an exclusive interview with Politic365.