Emmy-Winning Journalist Ojinika Obiekwe Sues New York’s PIX11 Parent Company for Racial Discrimination

Former PIX11 entertainment anchor and Emmy Award-winning journalist Ojinika Obiekwe has filed a lawsuit against Nexstar Media Group, the station’s parent company, alleging systemic racism, workplace discrimination, and retaliation.

Obiekwe, who spent 20 years at PIX11, claims in the lawsuit that she was overworked, underpaid, and ultimately fired for speaking out about racial inequities within the company.

According to court documents, the journalist says she first noticed disparities after receiving a promotion in 2017. She alleges that two white male colleagues in the same role at other Nexstar-owned stations had fewer responsibilities, greater resources, and significantly higher salaries. Meanwhile, Obiekwe claims she was required to take on an overwhelming workload without the same level of compensation or support.

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In 2018, she reported her concerns to Nexstar’s human resources department. However, the lawsuit states that instead of addressing the issue, management gave her “empty promises” and later retaliated against her for continuing to speak out.

The lawsuit further alleges that PIX11’s then-news director, Nicole Tindiglia, dismissed Obiekwe’s concerns and eventually reprimanded her for her “inflammatory rhetoric” regarding racial discrimination. By late 2022, Obiekwe was fired.

Her legal complaint highlights broader issues of racial bias in the media industry, including pay gaps, unequal opportunities, and retaliation against Black professionals who challenge workplace inequities.

PIX11 and Nexstar have not yet responded to the lawsuit.