A former CNN reporter has filed a lawsuit against the network, alleging racial discrimination and improper dismissal. Saima Mohsin, a former international correspondent for CNN, claims that she was told she didn’t have the look for presenting. Mohsin, who broke her foot while on assignment in Israel in 2014, says she was left partially disabled and unable to continue the physically demanding work she had previously done. She had ongoing discussions with CNN about alternative work, including working as a presenter, but her requests were denied.
In her lawsuit, Mohsin alleges that CNN denied her on-air opportunities in favor of white American correspondents, even when she was on the ground reporting and ready to go. According to The Guardian, her contract with the network was terminated in 2017. Mohsin took to Twitter, stating, We risk our lives in the field trusting we’ll be taken care of. 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.
The case will be heard by a tribunal in London. CNN has faced several challenges in recent months, including the departure of longtime presenter Don Lemon, who was ousted from the company after 17 years on the air. CNN’s CEO, Chris Licht, also stepped down following public criticism of his decision to air a Trump Town Hall. Despite the boost in viewership from the town hall, CNN experienced a decline in primetime viewership in May compared to the previous year.
CNN has not commented on Mohsin’s lawsuit. It is important to note that this article presents the allegations made by Mohsin and does not provide a response from CNN or alternative viewpoints.
