Standing Against Discrimination: Saima Mohsin Takes CNN to Court for Unfair Treatment
Former CNN Reporter Saima Mohsin Sues Network for Racial Discrimination and Unfair Dismissal After Injury
Saima Mohsin, a British-Pakistani reporter, has filed a lawsuit against Cable News Network (CNN) for racial discrimination and unfair dismissal following a severe injury she sustained while reporting in Israel. Mohsin, who was left disabled after a cameraman accidentally ran over her foot in 2014, has been unable to return to work full-time due to the resulting tissue damage.
Despite her request for a physically less demanding role and support for rehabilitation, CNN allegedly refused to accommodate her needs. Mohsin further claims that she sought to switch to a presenting role to reduce travel time but was told she didn’t have the desired appearance. Three years later, CNN terminated her employment.
Mohsin has taken her case to an employment tribunal after CNN declined to provide assistance following her life-changing injury. She accuses the network of racial and disability discrimination, as well as a gender pay gap during her tenure.
Additionally, Mohsin alleges that managers favored white American correspondents over her, reducing her on-air time even when she was ready to report live from the field.
CNN contends that Mohsin’s contract prevents her from bringing the matter to a London court.
Speaking out about her experience, Mohsin stated, “This should cause concern for all foreign correspondents who travel around the world—and take risks to do their journalism—in the belief that their employer will take care of them.”
She aims to highlight the issues of racism and the gender pay gap, calling for change to better protect women journalists, particularly women journalists of color.
Currently, Mohsin produces a program on living with invisible disabilities for ITV and works as a freelance presenter for Sky News.
