CBS Argues First Amendment Protections in Bid to Dismiss ‘Matlock’ Writer Lawsuit Over Allegedly Racist Comments

CBS Television Studios is claiming First Amendment protections in a bid to dismiss some claims in a lawsuit from a writer on Matlock , who accused the show’s top brass of directing disparaging racial and sexual comments at him and other Black cast and crew members.

The writer, John Lowe, accused Matlock ‘s showrunner and executive producers of creating a hostile work environment “permeated by sexually explicit and discriminatory conduct.” He was allegedly terminated after allegedly reporting an incident in which his supervisor referred to Juneteenth as “Coonteenth.” Related Stories Movies 'Hawaii Five-O' Movie in the Works From Destin Daniel Cretton at Paramount TV 'Survivor 51' Cast Reveals What They're Trying to Hide (Exclusive)

In a statement, a CBS Studios spokesperson said the company is “confident that Lowe’s accusations are demonstrably inaccurate and maliciously fabricated” and that it “will not allow them to go unchallenged.”

“False allegations are deeply damaging, both to those wrongly accused, and to anyone with a serious and legitimate claim of discrimination,” the statement added. “We stand firmly behind our producers and look forward to the truth coming to light.”