Former WPIX entertainment anchor and reporter Ojinika Obiekwe is suing the Nexstar owned station for gender and racial discrimination
Obiekwe started working at the New York station as an intern in 2001. She went from being an assignment editor to producer and reporter and was named an anchor and lifestyle reporter. Her station bio is still up, but ends with the line, “Ojinika separated from PIX11 in 2022.”
According to the lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York last month, Obiekwe said she was, “having to do the work of two or even three employees, such as the work of a Segment Producer and even that of a Copy Editor” at the station.
The suit also alleges that white male entertainment anchors at Nexstar stations like KTLA in Los Angeles and WGN in Chicago were paid more, had less responsibilities and got “more support and a more competent staff” than she did. Obiekwe also said working conditions at the station was similar to “to those on a plantation.”
“Ms. Obiekwe was terminated, and her contract was not renewed, because she spoke up about discrimination she was experiencing. Beyond being morally unjust, PIX11 and Nexstar must be held accountable for their violations of the law,” her attorney Eric Abrams said in a statement.
We asked Nexstar about it. They declined comment.