Former WBZ anchor Kate Merrill is contesting efforts by the Boston television station to dismiss key parts of her ongoing lawsuit, which alleges racial and gender discrimination. Merrill, who spent over 20 years with WBZ, claims she was unfairly forced out as the station pursued a diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda.
The legal battle intensified when WBZ, along with CBS and other defendants, filed a motion to dismiss several claims made by Merrill. In response, her legal team submitted an opposition document, asserting that her allegations of gender discrimination, defamation, and actual malice warrant further examination.
Merrill’s lawsuit details her experience at WBZ, starting with her initial role as a reporter in 2004. She eventually became the lead anchor for the 11 p.m. news and co-anchored “WBZ This Morning” and “WBZ News at Noon.” However, her career took a turn in 2024 when she learned of an investigation into her interactions with colleagues, particularly concerning her treatment of Black meteorologist Jason Mikell.
According to the lawsuit, Merrill faced scrutiny after she corrected Mikell’s pronunciation of local towns during a commercial break. Following the incident, Mikell confronted her aggressively, prompting Merrill to file a complaint with the station’s Human Resources department. Rather than investigate her claims, WBZ reportedly launched an inquiry into her conduct, concluding that she exhibited “microaggressions” that contributed to a hostile work environment.
As a result, Merrill received a written warning and was required to participate in unconscious bias training. Subsequently, she was demoted from her position as co-anchor to working weekend nights, leading her to resign shortly thereafter.
Merrill’s attorneys argue that her demotion was not handled with the same transparency as those involving male colleagues. They highlight that the station’s general manager publicly announced her demotion, while similar announcements were not made regarding male anchors. They claim this disparity reflects a pattern of gender discrimination against Merrill.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Mikell made inappropriate comments about Merrill on air, yet he faced no disciplinary action for these remarks. Merrill’s legal team contends that this lack of accountability further illustrates the unequal treatment she received compared to her male counterparts.
In their filings, Merrill’s attorneys have also defended her defamation claims. They assert that WBZ’s actions following the investigation, including the announcement of her demotion, implied racist motivations behind her departure from the station.
Merrill’s lawsuit accuses WBZ, CBS, and Paramount of pursuing a corporate agenda that included quotas, which she claims amounts to “reverse discrimination.” Her attorneys have emphasized that the allegations against her, particularly those made by Mikell, were false or misleading, further supporting her case of actual malice.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case underscores ongoing discussions about workplace equity and the complexities of navigating allegations of discrimination in media environments. The outcome could have significant implications, not just for Merrill but for broader industry practices regarding diversity and inclusion.
