Members of the press reacted to a “chilling” incident — caught on camera — in which a spokesman for two NBA players shut down a CNN reporter for asking questions about the NBA’s censorship on behalf of China.

After CNN’s Christina Macfarlane asked NBA players James Harden and Russell Westbrook whether they would feel differently about speaking out in the future following the NBA’s censorship of comments that are critical of China, Macfarlane was shut down and had her microphone taken away.

Journalist gets quickly shut down when she asked James Harden, Russell Westbrook if they would refrain from speaking out on politics/social justice after China debacle… pic.twitter.com/VkXSWo0N0s — gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 10, 2019

“Wow, this is chilling. The NBA minder shuts down CNN’s question here and refuses to let the players answer it,” reacted Tablet Magazine senior writer Yair Rosenberg. “Not only are they acting as China’s censors for their employees, they’re now bringing China’s suppression of the critical press to our shores.”

Wow, this is chilling. The NBA minder shuts down CNN's question here and refuses to let the players answer it. Not only are they acting as China's censors for their employees, they're now bringing China's suppression of the critical press to our shores. https://t.co/2cYISBpIwU — (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) October 10, 2019

New York Magazine and HuffPost contributor Yashar Ali called the NBA’s actions “disgraceful,” while CNBC’s John Harwood called the move “pathetic.”

This is disgraceful https://t.co/esBpE3cuzL — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 10, 2019

“This is loathsome and cowardly. Does the NBA really think it can sustain radio silence on this?” questioned RealClearInvestigations’ Mark Hemingway, while Vox’s Aaron Rupar declared, “This is just an awful look for the @NBA.”

This is loathsome and cowardly. Does the NBA really think it can sustain radio silence on this? https://t.co/9FXbKZZpyc — Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) October 10, 2019

This is just an awful look for the @NBA https://t.co/nI0MQqZAmL — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 10, 2019

Breitbart News’ Senior Editor-at-Large Rebecca Mansour posted, “Welcome to the new normal, folks. Get used to the awkward silence when you ask about something our new rulers in Beijing have deemed verboten,” and Washington Post National Political Correspondent James Hohmann said, “The silence of Harden and Westbrook in response to this important question is deafening — and reflects very poorly on the NBA.”

Welcome to the new normal, folks. Get used to the awkward silence when you ask about something our new rulers in Beijing have deemed verboten. https://t.co/JbQL7edCer — Rebecca Mansour (@RAMansour) October 10, 2019

The silence of Harden and Westbrook in response to this important question is deafening — and reflects very poorly on the NBA. https://t.co/QqT24Pqc64 — James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) October 10, 2019

“This disgusts me as a journalist… and as a human being,” said Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch, while Miami Herald reporter Adam Beasley commented, “What an awful look for the NBA.”

This disgusts me as a journalist …and as a human being https://t.co/fJodIIYIN6 — Will Bunch 🆘 (@Will_Bunch) October 10, 2019

What an awful look for the NBA https://t.co/qykLIFLba0 — Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 10, 2019

Washington Examiner Executive Editor Philip Klein wrote, “Keeps getting more pathetic. @NBA going to great lengths to mimic totalitarian China,” and Forbes columnist Roger Pielke Jr. remarked, “NBA sticking to sports by sticking it to journalist doing her job.”

Keeps getting more pathetic. @NBA going to great lengths to mimic totalitarian China. https://t.co/UyRhqloBba — Philip Klein (@philipaklein) October 10, 2019

NBA sticking to sports by sticking it to journalist doing her job 🤔⤵️ https://t.co/O2F4SUJSOk — Roger Pielke Jr. (@RogerPielkeJr) October 10, 2019

The Blaze’s Jason Howerton, Defense News’ David B. Larter, CNN analyst James A. Gagliano, Washington Post reporter Michael Scherer, and former PC Gamer editor-in-chief Gary Whitta also responded to the incident.

Two great American athletes sitting with their heads down like shamed schoolboys while a western journalist has her microphone taken away. This is only going to get worse. https://t.co/N2S2VGTDCC — Scary Whitta (@garywhitta) October 10, 2019

The NBA has been at the center of controversy recently over its relationship with China.

Fans with “Free Hong Kong” signs have been kicked out of several games while the NBA tries desperately to retain its relationship with China, which has been shaky since Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed support for the Hong Kong protests.

China responded to Morey’s comments, which he soon deleted, by pulling support from Chinese media and sponsors and suspending game broadcasts, and the NBA apologized for Morey’s remarks.

“We are extremely disappointed in the inappropriate remarks made by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey,” the NBA declared in a Chinese-language statement that sparked intense controversy.

In a recent episode, South Park also mocked the NBA, as well as Disney and Google, for sacrificing their moral integrity to get money from China, and China responded by banning the show in the country.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]