Ex-CNN Journalist Saima Mohsin Says Network Causing Her “Psychological, Financial & Physical Stress” By Kicking Legal Battle Into “Long Grass”

EXCLUSIVE: Former CNN journalist Saima Mohsin has criticized the news network for stalling her efforts to sue for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

In August 2023, Mohsin won the right to take the news network to an employment tribunal in the UK with her claim that she was wrongly fired after being injured on assignment in Israel a decade ago.

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CNN disputed Mohsin’s case on territorial grounds, arguing that her employment contract meant that the UK tribunal did not have jurisdiction over her claims.

CNN is now appealing last August’s ruling. A hearing is set for September 5 at London’s Employment Appeal Tribunal, which Judge Auerbach will oversee.

Mohsin, who now presents Sky News Today with Saima Mohsin at the weekends, told Deadline: “CNN is avoiding addressing my discrimination claims by arguing that UK courts should not even hear my case, kicking the matter into the long grass, causing a disabled journalist considerable and unnecessary psychological, financial and physical stress.”

“I am disappointed CNN has chosen to take this route and appeal, dragging a disabled journalist, injured on assignment, through court rather than honoring their duty of care.”

Mohsin was injured in Jerusalem for CNN in 2014 when she was covering the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her cameraman ran over her foot, causing tissue damage and chronic pain, meaning she uses a walking stick and is unable to work full-time. The incident also led to a mental health breakdown and Mohsin suffers from depression. She claims that CNN terminated her contract in 2017 after she requested alternative duties and support during rehab.

Until CNN’s appeal, her case was set to proceed to a full tribunal on the grounds of dismissal, disability discrimination, victimization, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and equal pay in relation to claims after March 1, 2017.

“As a journalist with a disability, I simply asked for reasonable adjustments to continue doing the job I loved and was very good at. Instead, CNN fired me and escorted me out of the building,” she said.

“Media companies have a duty to include journalists with disabilities and accommodate their needs. Every journalist working in the field right now should be concerned by this. Particularly at a time of so many global conflicts and increased risk for journalists.”

Deadline understands that Mohsin has repeatedly indicated her willingness to settle outside of legal proceedings, but CNN has so far declined to do so. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network declined to comment.

Mohsin is represented by barristers Paras Gorasia of Old Square, and Jennifer Robinson and Finnian Clarke of Doughty Street Chambers.

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