Local Chicago reporters are alleging that Mayor Lori Lightfoot is now only granting one-on-one interviews journalists of color. Mary Ann Ahern went on Twitter on Tuesday to mark the “midway point” of Lightfoot’s first term in office and acknowledged her failed effort to land an interview.

“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,” NBC 5 Chicago political reporter wrote. Ahern allegedly wasn’t the only one.

“I was told the same thing,” WTTW Chicago Tonight anchor and correspondent Paris Schutz responded to the tweet.

“I can confirm” Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone tweeted as well.

As of now, its unclear when this type of practice began and if it only applies to local reporters.

Lightfoot faced backlash on social media, facing allegations of racism for alleging choosing to speak with journalists based on the color of their skin.

The Chicago mayor appeared to confirm the practice on Twitter.

“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. “Diversity and inclusion is imperative across all institutions including media. In order to progress we must change.”

She added, “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.”

The Chicago Mayor’s office issued a statement to Fox News reiterating Lightfoot’s comments.

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