Former CNN international correspondent sues the network for unfair dismissal

A former CNN reporter and international correspondent is suing the global news brand for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination after she was severely injured on the job in Israel nearly a decade ago.

Saima Mohsin, 46, who now works for Sky News, was reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from Jerusalem in 2014 when her cameraman ran over her left foot with a vehicle, causing severe tissue damage that left the journalist with an ‘invisible disability.’

Mohsin claims the injury prevented her from working full-time, and left her struggling to stand, sit and walk. She claims to have asked CNN for alternative assignments at the time and support for rehab, which the company alleged denied her.

The British-Pakistani alleges that she asked CNN if she could switch to a presenting role in order to minimize her travel schedule, but was told that she didn’t ‘have the look we are looking for.’

Mohsin posted on Instagram about how she had suffered ‘terrible nerve issues’ after her foot was run over

Three years later, her contract with CNN was terminated, the Guardian reported.

Mohsin said she decided to bring the case to the employment tribunal because the mega-media company failed to support her following a life-changing injury she acquired on the job. The case was heard Monday at the tribunal in London.

The journalist’s claim alleges race and disability discrimination, in addition to a complaint about the gender pay gap at CNN.

She says she was denied high profile on-air opportunities, as managers chose to place white, American correspondents on air over her.

CNN did not comment on any of the allegations. The company is opposing the entirety of Mohsin’s claim, arguing that the terms of Mohsin’s previous contract prevents her from bringing the case in London.

CNN has been dealing with its own avalanche of problems for the last few weeks, as head honcho Chris Licht was unceremoniously ousted after barely a year at the helm.

Longtime boss Jeff Zucker was forced out last year over an open-secret relationship with a colleague. His departure allowed new management at Warner Discovery to install Licht, who they hoped would steer the liberal network back toward the political center.

Mohsin is also hoping her case will raise important questions about journalist safety and the treatment of women of color in the industry.

‘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,’ she said.

‘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.’

Saima Mohsin has been at Sky News since 2022

Mohsin is pictured while reporting overseas. The 46-year-old now regularly presents for Sky News after she claims CNN refused to offer her a similar role

The journalist is suing her former employer claiming that she was pushed out after she was injured while on a job in the Middle East

Now Mohsin is a freelance presenter for Sky News and has made a special for ITV about the reality of living with an invisible disability.

She is being represented at the tribunal by Paras Gorasia and Jennifer Robinson, who also represented Azeem Rafiq in his claim against Yorkshire County Cricket Club, according to The Guardian. 

During the lead up to the case, Mohsin told the Daily Mirror that after being injured in 2014, she would stand ‘on one leg like a flamingo’ while on camera, but was eventually forced to stop as her pain grew worse and her limb turned black.

For several years Mohsin has been working with a pain specialist who has helped treat her injury. She also received a blue badge – London’s version of a handicap parking permit.