“Big week for me at the Employment Tribunal.”
Former CNN reporter Saima Mohsin is suing the network for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.
Taking to Twitter on July 10, 2023, Mohsin opened up about suffering an injury whilst she was on an assignment for the network.
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.”
It was reported that Mohsin was severely injured in an accident in Jerusalem in 2014, where she was stationed to report on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The Guardian report stated: “Her cameraman ran over her foot in a car, causing severe tissue damage that has left the British Pakistani journalist struggling to sit, stand and walk or return to work full time.”
Mohsin had appealed for substitute duties and support in aid of rehabilitation but CNN had refused.
Mohsin revealed that when she had asked CNN for a presenting role to limit her time travelling she was told that she did not have the “look we are looking for”.
Her contract was terminated three years later.
Mohsin stated that she decided to file the employment tribunal claim because she felt she was not supported by her former workplace post-injury.
She said: “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 has also accused CNN of race, gender pay gap and disability discrimination.
The claims come after she claimed she was not given the opportunity to appear in front of the camera.
She claimed that the managers opted to favour white American correspondents over her.
CNN has not yet answered the allegations but the channel is contending the assertion with their point that ending Mohsin’s contract means she does not have the right to bring any cases to London.
Saima Mohsin is now a freelance presenter for Sky News and has produced a documentary for ITV in which she highlights the struggle of living with disabilities that are deemed invisible.
In regards to her court case, Mohsin will be represented by barristers Paras Gorasia and Jennifer Robinson from Doughty Street Chambers.
The pair previously represented cricketer Azeem Rafiq when he put in a claim against Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
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 has said that her claim highlights queries about the safety of journalists, alongside the treatment of women of colour in the field of journalism.
She said: “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’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.”
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