Tensions escalated as the North Carolina General Assembly’s special session continued.

At the forefront was the discussion — and eventual passing — of House Bill 17, which includes provisions that strengthen the power of the state school superintendent, lessen the governor’s power with appointing the UNC system Board of Trustees and require the governor’s Cabinet picks be approved by the Senate.

Many have decried HB17 as a last-ditch effort to limit Gov.-elect Roy Cooper’s authority upon taking office Jan. 1 — in essence, a war against the Democratic agenda.

However, there’s another war at play in this mess: a war against freedom of the press.

Fifteen protesters had been arrested by Thursday night outside of the Legislative Building, and with them, journalist Joe Killian with Raleigh-based NC Policy Watch.

After protesters with the state NAACP disrupted the House session, authorities demanded that the public gallery be cleared. Killian, however, refused to go in the spirit of the First Amendment, but was arrested nonetheless.

This situation speaks to a lack of respect faced by many journalists. Killian was not protesting. He was not disrupting. He was merely performing his journalistic duty and covering the protest.

To group Killian in with protestors is a mistake, especially during a session that the public has a right to hear. One of the cornerstones of democracy is freedom of the press, and without it, democracy is certainly in trouble.

Journalists face this predicament every day, everywhere. Killian’s particular situation is not a far-off occurrence — it happened a mere two hours away. It can happen anywhere, whether in a small-town council meeting or the state’s legislature.

All representatives holding office should harbor a healthy respect for the press. Journalists are the eyes and ears of the people, and when those people can’t attend a meeting, it is the journalist’s job to relay the message.

Tread lightly, legislators. Freedom of the press is not to be disparaged.