Charlie Hebdo massacre: Outcry after Rupert Murdoch blames 'most Muslims' for terrorism

Media mogul dismisses criticism of his controversial tweets as 'political correctness'

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has provoked strong criticism from across the world for making a number of tweets about Islam in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 10, 2015

In one tweet Murdoch, 83, chief executive of News Corp, said: "Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible."

Oh good, Rupert Murdoch has waded into the Charlie Hebdo debate. I was wondering what an outdated, bigoted, sociopath might make of it all.
— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) January 10, 2015

That provokes a stinging rebuttal on Twitter. Among the more polite replies, one posted: "In the same way that every Brit is responsible for the crimes of Fred West I suppose."

Big jihadist danger looming everywhere from Philippines to Africa to Europe to US. Political correctness makes for denial and hypocrisy.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 10, 2015

Undaunted, Murdoch posted another tweet a short time later saying: "Big jihadist danger looming everywhere from Philippines to Africa to Europe to US. Political correctness makes for denial and hypocrisy."

That also provoked a response. One wrote: "And no doubt you reckon Fox News extremism and Iraq invasion has nothing to do with current Islamic extremist backlash."

Murdoch, who owns several newspapers in the UK including The Times and The Sun, had some defenders. One wrote: "So the cartoonists, police and Jewish shoppers are just victims of backlash.

One wrote: "So the cartoonists, police and Jewish shoppers are just victims of backlash??? Apologist for terrorists sicken me."

@NivenJ1 @rupertmurdoch Dear Rupe, maybe most Aussies are peaceful but I hold you entirely responsible for decimation of native australians
— Jean Robinson (@Count_Stuff) January 10, 2015

This isn't the first time that Murdoch has found himself in trouble with tweets.

Following the Sydney siege last month he tweeted what appeared to be a promotional message about one of his Australian newspapers: "AUST gets wake-call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2.00 am. Congrats."

Last November, he defended the cast of an all-white Broadway show about Moses, tweeting: "Moses film attacked on Twitter for all white cast. Since when are Egyptians not white? All I know are."

In 2013, Murdoch posted another inflammatory tweet about Muslims, telling followers: "Good for UK Chief Rabbi Sacks! 'Let's put multiculturalism behind us'. Societies have to integrate. Muslims find it hardest."

Good for UK Chief Rabbi Sacks! "Let's put multiculturalism behind us". Societies have to integrate. Muslims find it hardest.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 19, 2013

Among many withering replies, one wrote: "I'm sick of American publishers coming over here and not respecting our laws and culture. They should integrate or get out."

Rupert Murdoch Twitter