(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – The pushback against Judge Jason Rossell’s sweeping ban on cameras in his courtroom is growing — and now, it’s not just Kenosha County Eye challenging his unconstitutional order.
On Monday, Fox 6 Milwaukee Investigative Reporter Bryan Polcyn sent Rossell an email responding to the judge’s ongoing restrictions on media coverage. The message, copied to KCE editor Kevin Mathewson, made it clear that Fox 6 will not quietly accept Rossell’s censorship of courtroom access.
Polcyn reminded Rossell that Fox 6 had requested permission to record the upcoming trial of Lee Hagopian, accused of practicing optometry without a license, and that Rossell had previously granted limited approval — requiring that the station use a “remote-controlled” camera under the judge’s direct supervision. Fox 6’s attorney, Christopher Reed, objected to that condition months ago, writing that no Wisconsin court has ever imposed such a restriction and that doing so undermines the very purpose of open courts.
Rossell never responded to that objection. The trial, which has already been postponed twice, is now scheduled for February 2, 2026.
In his new message, Polcyn said Fox 6 still intends to cover the trial and politely stated that he “has not been critical” of the judge — a comment many in the press community view as an effort to avoid judicial retaliation for challenging Rossell’s authority.
Fox 6 and KCE Aligned in Pushback
For the first time in recent memory, a major television network and a local independent outlet are standing shoulder-to-shoulder to challenge Kenosha judges who appear intent on restricting press freedom.
“Kenosha County Eye is glad to see that Fox 6 is joining this fight,” said Kevin Mathewson, editor of KCE. “It’s no longer just one journalist being targeted by activist judges who hate transparency. Now that Fox’s corporate attorneys are involved, these judges’ reckless disregard for the First Amendment could have real consequences.”
Anti-Transparency Trend
Rossell’s October 10 order banned all media outlets from filming or photographing jury trials in his courtroom, following a similar move by Judge Chad Kerkman. Both judges’ actions came shortly after KCE published critical stories about them, leading many observers to conclude that the restrictions are retaliatory and politically motivated.
Media attorneys tell KCE that the involvement of Fox’s legal team raises the stakes dramatically — and could soon force statewide litigation or even appellate review to rein in what one described as “rogue judges who think they’re above the Constitution.”
The Fight for Open Courts
“This is no longer just about Kenosha County Eye,” Mathewson said. “This is about whether judges in Wisconsin can shut down transparency because they don’t like what’s written about them. When judges start banning cameras and ignoring public access, the people need to start asking what they’re trying to hide.”
Kenosha County Eye’s ongoing federal lawsuit — Mathewson v. Kerkman et al., Case No. 25-CV-1492 — is currently pending before Judge J.P. Stadtmueller in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The growing opposition from Fox 6 and its corporate legal counsel may further strengthen KCE’s argument that Kenosha judges are systematically retaliating against the press and undermining the First Amendment.
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30 Responses
…. that this case is destined to higher courts.
It’s also obvious that Wisconsin’s higher court will most likely side with the judge.
Let’s hope this case gets to the United States Supreme Court for a decision !!!
Wisconsin has been first in many things over our lifetimes and our states. Let this be another.
The country is watching !
This already is in Federal Court !
Supreme Court ?
We can only hope
The reporter promised he “would not be critical of the judge.” What a milquetoast institutionalist pansy. How can he even make that promise? What if a judge were to botch ruling after ruling at the trial that he’s reporting on? He has to clam up about it?
Keep fighting, KCE!
When rereading the article, I should have written that the reporter “implied” rather than “promised” that he would not be critical of the judge. Either way, it’s groveling. The judge should be fearful of the press, not the other way around.
The press is “expected” to know most everything. Aren’t they ?
Any judge who is making decisions in real time should expect Everything they rule on is going to be fact checked.
So reporters should be critical as warranted.
It’s simple. Report what happened. Report what you see and know. Verify everything that’s questionable. Simple
If the judge decides to seek retribution, take him to court.
Oh yeah, that’s what’s happening !
The reporter implied, “He *has* not been critical” of the judge. This isn’t groveling or implying future behavior, it is merely reporting a fact of the situation…
I wonder if the banning of other news outlets is in some way an attempt to blunt the ‘fact/opinion’ that Kerkman allegedly retaliated against KCE after KCE was critical of Kerkman and reported facts about the arrest of his bailiff.
It does seem like an attempt to mitigate the complaints made in the KCE lawsuit vs Kerkman. Especially since all other news outlets were banned the very next day after the lawsuit was filed.
Allegedly this judge shows the ability to lash out with narcissistic rage at the slightest perceived threat to his grandiose self-image. I wouldn’t put it past one judge to have manipulated another judge into making this decision.
Didn’t Kerkman already make false accusations against our district attorney and then lash out against KCE for reporting on the judge’s reoccurring, emotionally-fueled bad behaviors?
There’s opinions that he has the look of a person requiring psychiatric care that is possibly dangerous to the community, willing to do or say anything to protect their position, self-esteem and public image. Showing no regard to any consequence of their actions.
He explicitly said he has not been critical of the judge, with the implication being that if the judge lets him do his job, he won’t be critical of him in the future. Why else would you say that? A milquetoast institutionalist at best.
That might be, that maybe so. However, it sounds a lot like you are just blowing snot out of your ladyparts
The parallels between what these Kenosha judges are doing and what President Trump is doing are undeniable.
LOL nice try troll 🤣
Please tell us why this comment is not true.
That cat seems to pop up a lot. Might be a case of TDS.
Again, please explain why this comment is not true. It seems no one can or is willing to try.
No one wants to entertain your request because it’s not a request. It’s an attempt to allow you more space to pout and spew talking points you’ve absorbed from MSNBC. No thanks 🤣
That is not true. No one responds because it is impossible to formulate a coherent response. You people are are so warped. You have no capacity for critical thinking.
STFU! Trump is King. We honor and respect him. Those that don’t will pay.
You again? What a son of a Kamala 🙁
Ok, take your little jab.
But can you please explain why the behavior of these tyrannical Kenosha judges is any different from the restrictions that the Trump administration is imposing on the media?
It’s haywood hater again!
Maybe. I still waiting for one of you dim witted cult members to explain why you condemn the tyranny of these Kenosha judges while you support the same tyranny from the Pedo-in-Chief.
There it is…we didn’t have to respond to you, you just started on you own LMAO
Do you know how unintelligent you sound?
We are not able to legibly read either the attorney’s letter or Judge Rossell’s order in the previous post.
They don’t want the press there. To see their behavior on the bench and how they act. Bottom line!
they don’t want it recorded for the public to actually see the corruption from the bench.
This blanket no recording policy is a painfully obvious ploy to bolster the previous, selective ban on the KCE.
Too little too late dunces.
Also notice it is Fox 6 standing up for freedom of the press, not NBC, ABC, or CBS.
It’s a pansy and pu$$y party Original Bird Watcher
Hopefully we can flush the Court House of terrible so-called judges.
I’m not seeing anyone step up to the plate yet.
Time needs to happen now !
These power hungry judges need to be voted out.
This video accurately explains why several lib Kenosha judges are now going to be listed in the aforementioned lawsuit:
https://youtu.be/AOPZuXh-f5M?si=5RhMNTsVHRjoDTSn