British Pakistani journalist sues CNN for unfair dismissal, disability and race discrimination

A former CNN reporter has decided to take legal action against the news channel stating that she is suing for unfair dismissal, disability and race discrimination.

Saima Mohsin, who worked as a reporter for the network was working from Jerusalem and reporting on the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, things suddenly took a turn after she was left severely injured whilst doing her job in 2014.

Mohsin was the victim of an accident where her cameraman ran his car over her foot, causing severe tissue damage. To this day, the British Pakistani journalist has been suffering as she struggles to sit, stand or walk, unable to go back to working full-time.

Taking to Twitter on July 10, 2023, she tweeted: “I was injured on assignment for CNN. They fired me.

“We risk our lives in the field, trusting we’ll be taken care of.

“I am suing for unfair dismissal, disability and race discrimination. CNN wants my case thrown out.

“Big week for me at the Employment Tribunal.”

Mohsin had claimed that the network failed to support her after she suffered from an injury that has changed her life. She had appealed for substitute duties and support in aid of rehabilitation but CNN had refused.

She stated, “I worked hard to become an international correspondent and loved my job with CNN. I risked my life many times on assignment for CNN believing they would have my back. They did not.”

Mohsin also disclosed she had asked CNN for a presenting role to limit her time travelling, but was told that she did not have the “look we are looking for” and her contract subsequently was terminated three years later.

She has accused the network of race, gender pay gap and disability discrimination, claiming that she was not given any opportunities to appear in front of the camera, and that the bosses at CNN preferred white American correspondents over her.

According to The Guardian, CNN declined to address the allegations. However, it has been reported that the broadcaster is opposing the claim on territorial grounds, saying that since the contract with Mohsin has ended, she cannot bring a case to London.

Mohsin now works as a freelance presenter for Sky News and has produced a documentary for ITV highlighting the struggle of living with disabilities that are not obvious to recognise.

She added, “This should cause concern for all foreign correspondents who travel around the world, and take risks to do their journalism in the belief their employer will take care of them.

“I was repeatedly let down and denied the ability to achieve my potential while I was at CNN.

“I am bringing my claim to take a stand and call for change to ensure women journalists, and women journalists of colour, are better protected.”

On the legal front, she will be represented by barristers Paras Gorasia and Jennifer Robinson from Doughty Street Chambers, who previously represented cricketer Azeem Rafiq when he put in a racism claim against Yorkshire County Cricket Club.