A retaliation lawsuit filed by former PIX 11 entertainment anchor Ojinika Obiekwe against the local news station and its parent company, Nexstar, has gone to trial. Obiekwe, an Emmy-winning journalist who began her career at PIX 11 as an intern in 2001, alleges she was fired in 2022 for speaking out against racism and discrimination.
Jury selection in the case began July 13, with Obiekwe taking the stand twice to testify. Her testimony concluded on July 15.
"It was emotional, but it felt right because I didn’t back down," Obiekwe stated via her lawyer, Eric Abrams. Abrams emphasized that the case is about retaliation, not discrimination, and expressed confidence in their position.
Obiekwe was promoted to entertainment anchor in 2017. According to her lawsuit, after the promotion, she was assigned responsibilities beyond her role, including tasks typically handled by a segment producer and copy editor. She claims that white male entertainment anchors at Nexstar's sister stations were compensated more, despite having fewer duties and receiving greater support.
In the lawsuit, Obiekwe described the disproportionate workload as akin to being told, "All that’s left for me to do at this point is pick cotton." She was terminated in 2022, with the station citing alleged "insubordination" and "failure to perform job duties." SAG-AFTRA union lawyers reportedly challenged these accusations. Obiekwe subsequently hired Abrams.
During the trial, past and current PIX 11 employees testified as witnesses in support of Obiekwe's case. The station has vehemently denied Obiekwe's claims. Earlier this year, PIX 11 fired four other popular news anchors.