An interesting possibility
Jackson confident in his bid for paper
Published March 23, 2004
All eyes at the Chicago Sun-Times are on Yusef Jackson, son of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Yusef is better known these days for running Anheuser-Busch beer distributor River North Sales & Service. But with a chance, albeit remote, that someone from the newsmaking Jackson family eventually could own the city's No. 2 newspaper, Yusef's name has garnered significant interest at 401 N. Wabash Ave., at least among the reporter ranks.
It's one thing as a reporter or columnist to work for a newspaper owned by cost-cutting corporate suits. It's another to work at a paper owned by someone whose family includes a controversial civil-rights crusader and a congressman.
A source close to the Jacksons said that the family is well aware of the implications from a journalistic standpoint. They've even heard rumors that some key columnists or reporters, fearing a conflict of interest, are considering their options if the Jacksons get the paper.
But Yusef, who along with billionaire family friend Ron Burkle, made a bid estimated at more than $850 million for all of Hollinger International Inc.'s Chicago properties six weeks ago, has no plans to back away from his offer. On the contrary, he is said to be "feeling good" about his prospects of winning.
As a side observation, the Chicago Sun-Times has a pretty extensive downloads section for a newspaper.
