LONDON: Cable News Network (CNN) has been granted permission to proceed with its appeal against an Employment Tribunal's decision to grant British-Pakistani journalist Saima Mohsin the right to have her case heard in the UK.
The journalist became disabled after suffering an accident while reporting from Jerusalem on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. CNN in 2014.
CNN terminated her contract in 2017 when she requested the media organisation to move her to a less physically demanding role and support her during her post-injury rehabilitation programme.
Mohsin, who suffered a nervous breakdown and depression, eventually learned to control his foot again and bear his own weight thanks to extensive physical therapy, but he lives with constant pain that often leaves him bedridden. He now uses a cane and is unable to work full-time.
The reporter lodged a motion with the Employment Tribunal against unfair dismissal, disability discrimination, victimisation, failure to make reasonable adjustments and equal pay.
However, CNN The court rejected the claims and challenged her ability to seek justice in the UK by stating that the Employment Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear her appeal and that the Equality Act 2010 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 did not apply on grounds of territorial jurisdiction.
Saima’s lawsuit raises important questions about the safety of journalists, the treatment of women of color in journalism, as well as the ability of foreign correspondents to ensure they are provided with adequate medical care after being injured on assignment and can continue working, according to her lawyers.
The media organisation is seeking to avoid the prospect of a full hearing before the Employment Tribunal to allow for an independent decision on Saima's claims, arguing that UK courts should not even hear the case, leaving the matter on the legal turf.
A two-day hearing for from CNN The appeal will be included in the near future.
A final hearing in the unfair dismissal and disability discrimination case, including equal pay, is scheduled for 28 April 2025.
“I am disappointed CNN has chosen to take this route and appeal [….] “Dragging a disabled journalist, injured at work, through the courts instead of addressing my unfair dismissal and disability discrimination,” she said.
“As a journalist with a disability, I simply asked for reasonable accommodations to continue doing the job I loved and was very good at. CNN “I was fired and escorted out of the building,” the reporters said.
