Former WBZ anchor Kate Merrill has issued her first public statement about her lawsuit against the Boston TV station, saying that “fairness must apply to everyone.”
Merrill, who suddenly left the station under a cloud of mystery last year, is suing the outlet on Soldiers Field Road for racial and gender discrimination.
The longtime anchor and reporter, who is white, is seeking $4 million in damages from WBZ, CBS, Paramount and others, for claims that she was illegally pushed out from the station.
“For more than two decades, I proudly shared the stories of Boston as a journalist at WBZ-TV,” Merrill posted on Facebook on Wednesday. “I poured my heart into this work because I believe deeply in the power of journalism to inform, connect, and uplift a community I love.
“It is with profound sadness that I today find myself in the position of bringing a legal complaint against a station and company that I once considered part of my family,” she added. “This decision was not made lightly. It was made because I believe fairness must apply to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or background and I was not treated fairly.”
In the lawsuit, Merrill alleges that she was discriminated against — leading to her departure.
“In the early 2020s, WBZ-TV, adopted diversity, equity and inclusion policies imposed by its parent corporations Columbia Broadcasting System and Paramount Global, Inc.,” her lawsuit reads. “In 2024, WBZ-TV exploited such policies and took career-ending action against Ms. Merrill to advance a DEI agenda.”
Merrill joined WBZ as a reporter in 2004 in Boston. She noted in the suit that she covered many of the biggest local stories, including the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, the 2004 Red Sox World Series win, several Patriots Super Bowls, the Boston Marathon bombings, and more.
WBZ promoted her from reporter to anchor, and in 2016, she became the lead 11 p.m. reporter and weekend anchor. In 2017, WBZ named Merrill co-anchor for WBZ This Morning and WBZ News at Noon.
“Let me be clear: I support efforts to ensure newsrooms are reflective of the communities they serve,” Merrill posted on Wednesday. “That is not what this case is about. It’s about ensuring that no one is unjustifiably pushed aside simply because an organization wants to meet a target or an agenda.”
According to her lawsuit, when WBZ hired Jason Mikell, a Black meteorologist from Mississippi, he reportedly asked Merrill to help him with the pronunciation of local cities and towns.
Then last April, she texted him during a commercial break to correct his on-air pronunciation of Concord.
“… Defendant Mikell immediately confronted Ms. Merrill, loudly yelling at her on the studio floor and asserting that she was being critical of him,” the suit reads. “His tone was aggressive and unprofessional. Ms. Merrill immediately lodged a complaint with WBZ’s Human Resources department.”
The station didn’t investigate her complaint against Mikell, she claims. Instead, an investigation was launched into allegations that she treated colleagues differently because of their race, the suit claims.
For instance, WBZ’s Courtney Cole allegedly complained that Merrill told her that she used to work in Nashville — and said Cole should go there because she could become the main anchor.
“Cole apparently interpreted (the remark) as a suggestion that she go to Nashville because it would be a better racial fit for Defendant Cole (who is Black) rather than a comment about career opportunities and how much she (Ms. Merrill) enjoyed Nashville,” the suit reads.
“Ms. Merrill vehemently challenged the validity of Defendant Cole’s allegations and denied (and denies) any of her actions, inactions, or comments were as described or motivated by overt racism or unconscious bias,” the lawsuit continues.
The station concluded that Merrill’s behavior was grounded in microaggressions or unconscious bias, and it led to a “very unwelcoming work environment.” She received a written warning, and she was required to complete unconscious bias training.
Merrill was then demoted from co-anchor of the Weekday Morning Show to working weekend nights.
“Because of the catastrophic damage a demotion would have caused her career, especially in the context of allegations that she was racist, on May 24, 2024, Ms. Merrill gave notice of constructive discharge resignation, effective immediately,” the lawsuit reads.
Merrill’s employment agreement with WBZ didn’t expire until June 1, 2025. Because of the non-compete provision, she couldn’t work in the field for more than a year.
“I have spent my career championing voices from all communities, mentoring young journalists of every background, and covering stories that reflect the full spectrum of life in our city,” she posted on Wednesday. “I am proud of that legacy, and I remain proud of the work I did at WBZ.
“Boston is my home,” Merrill added. “Telling this city’s stories has been my greatest professional privilege. I hope that through this process, the values of accountability and fairness I’ve always tried to uphold will be honored, too. Thank you Boston ❤️”
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