An Associated Press reporter in Tennessee who tried to take a photo of the state's speaker of the house after a fainting spell was criticized by some state legislators, while others are seeking to revoke his press credential.

“When House Speaker Kent Williams collapsed during Thursday's floor session, Associated Press reporter Erik Schelzig tried to take pictures,” reported the Knoxville News Sentinel. “That upset some legislators.”

The paper reported that State Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, said in a speech afterwards: “It was so good to see everybody rush in there in assistance. It was so disappointing to see that they had to get people out of the way trying to document such silliness. It was quite despicable behavior.”

But Adam Yeomans, Associated Press chief of bureau for Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, offered this comment to the paper:

“Associated Press reporter Erik Schelzig was doing his job covering breaking news at the General Assembly when House Speaker Kent Williams collapsed. The legislative sessions are open to the public, and members of the news media routinely record what happens there in words, photographs, audio and video. Though we believe Schelzig had the right to continue his reporting, he complied immediately with officials' order to leave the chamber.”