- Saima Mohsin, a former CNN reporter, is suing the news channel for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination following a severe injury sustained while covering the Israel-Palestine conflict in Jerusalem.
- Mohsin alleges that CNN failed to provide support and alternative duties for her rehabilitation after the accident, eventually terminating her employment, citing her appearance as the reason.
- She has lodged a complaint regarding racial and disability discrimination, as well as the gender wage disparity within the network, highlighting the need for change to protect women journalists and journalists of color.
Former CNN reporter, British – Pakistani, Saima Mohsin is suing the news channel CNN for unfair grounds of dismissal and racial discrimination after sustaining a severe injury while in Isreal for an official assignment where she was covering the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Upon assignment in 2014 the ace reporter, Saima Mohsin unfortunately had an accident while she was reporting from Jerusalem on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the accident resulted in grave injuries leaving her disabled. Her cameraman ran over her foot, causing severe tissue damage in her foot. Mohsin struggled for months after as she struggled to sit, stand and work.
She could no longer return to work and requested alternative duties and support for rehabilitation but CNN did not give her any position. They then fired her after 3 years saying, “You don’t have the look we’re looking for.” This was after Saima requested the news corporation for a presenting role which would lessen the amount of time spent in travelling and requested alternative duties and support for her rehabilitation which was also refused.
Taking to social media, Saima shared her ordeal on Twitter and received support from fellow reporters, journalists and netizens.
I was injured on assignment for CNN
They fired meWe risk our lives in the field trusting we’ll be taken care of
I’m suing for unfair dismissal, disability & race discrimination. CNN wants my case thrown out
Big week for me at Employment Tribunal 🤲🏾 https://t.co/QYvOrB3LpH
— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) July 10, 2023
Mohsin’s employment tribunal claim is scheduled to be heard in London on Monday where she has cited the network’s lack of support following a severe injury she suffered while she was on the job when the injury took place.
“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.”
In addition, the foreign correspondent has lodged a complaint pertaining to racial and disability discrimination, as well as the gender wage disparity existing at CNN. Furthermore, she alleges being deprived of prominent on-air opportunities, despite being fully prepared to report live from the field.
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Instead, it was the choice of the managers to feature white American correspondents on air. She asserts that she faced unequal treatment based on her race and disability, which affected her opportunities and experiences within the network.
Racial discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudiced treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. In Mohsin’s case, this suggests a potential bias in favour of certain racial or ethnic groups, leading to the exclusion or limited visibility of non-white correspondents.
“I’m also taking the opportunity to highlight the racism and gender pay gap issues that I experienced. 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.”
Mohsin talked about the increasing concern for foreign correspondents who risk their lives for coverage in war-torn areas. She talks about the treatment of women of colour in journalism.
“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.”
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