Prime Minister Tony Abbott has used a speech at The Australian's 50th birthday party on Tuesday night to give his opinion about the media and journalism.
"In my judgment, no paper more closely corresponds with the true spirit of Australia" says Tony Abbott of The Australian.
Mr Abbott continued in a similar vein throughout the speech, recalling fond memories for the Murdoch-controlled newspaper.
PM Abbott on working for the Oz in his early career: 'I never went back but like to think that, in spirit, I𠆝 never left.' @ABCNews24 #oz50
It prompted some journalists from competing organisations to take Twitter with concerns about the pandering.
When a prime minister lavishes praise on a newspaper and its editors you can be rock solid sure that paper has betrayed journalism.,
In a way, he never has. RT @bevanshields85: Tony Abbott says he likes to think 'that in spirit, I never left' The Australian #oz50 #auspol
@overingtonc If that is the spirit if Australia, I despair.
He toasted the room and then joined Murdoch and former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard for the remainder of the night.
News Corporation Chairman @rupertmurdoch flanked by Paul Keating and @TonyAbbottMHR at #oz50 dinner in Sydney
And of course, no expenses were spared.
Gorgeous dessert by Philippa Sibley. Quince, truffled honey, macadamia and gold. #oz50
There were some who thought the whole idea, including #oz50 hashtag was a joke.
The tweets coming from the tea party loonies at #oz50 are hilarious. I suspect they are serious and are not having a piss take
And others didn't miss the chance to take the piss.
For God's sake @NewsCorp, if Rupes in public, make sure he's got his bloody teeth in #oz50 #auspol
It's not the first time Mr Abbott has divided media based on "patriotism." In February he heavily critcised the ABC's reporting of Snowden revelations: "A lot of people feel at the moment that the ABC instinctively takes everyone's side but Australia's."
