Saima Mohsin, aged 46, was covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jerusalem in 2014 when her cameraman accidentally ran over her left foot…reports Asian Lite News
A former CNN reporter has filed a lawsuit against the network, alleging unfair dismissal and racial discrimination following an assignment in Israel that she states resulted in an “invisible disability”, the New York Post reported.
Saima Mohsin, aged 46, was covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jerusalem in 2014 when her cameraman accidentally ran over her left foot. The incident resulted in significant tissue damage, leaving the journalist with debilitating difficulties in sitting, standing, walking, and working full-time, as reported by the Guardian.
The British-Pakistani journalist claims she requested alternative duties and support for rehabilitation but the news channel refused. Mohsin further claims that she asked to transition into a presenting role to reduce travel time but she was told she didn’t have the desired appearance. CNN terminated her contract three years later, according to Guardian.
Following this, Mohsin has filed an employment tribunal claim, which is scheduled to be heard in London, because the network had failed to support her after the life-changing injury.
“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,” she told the Guardian.
Mohsin, in her complaint, alleged that she was unfairly dismissed from her role at CNN and that the network discriminates based on race and disability. She claims she was denied high-profile on-air opportunities, with managers choosing to put white American correspondents on air even when she was ready to go live on the ground, the Guardian reported.
However, CNN opposed Mohsin’s claims on territorial grounds, arguing that the terms of Mohsin’s contract don’t allow her to bring a case in London, the outlet reported.