NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A federal judge has dismissed a case filed by two black men who claim "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" discriminate against contestants of color.
U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger ruled Monday that casting decisions by ABC and the show's producers are protected by the First Amendment and the case should not continue. ABC lauded the ruling in a statement.
Nathaniel Claybrooks and Christopher Johnson sued the network in April, claiming their bids to appear on the series were rejected because the show discriminates against nonwhite participants. Their filing said "The Bachelor" had not featured a single person of color in a central role during 16 seasons.
Trauger's 23-page ruling states the lawsuit sought to change and regulate the shows' content, which is forbidden under the First Amendment.
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