Rupert Murdoch's insensitive siege tweet

Rupert Murdoch. Photo / AP

Pop stars, comedians and Kevin Rudd's daughter are among critics of Rupert Murdoch for his insensitive tweet about the Sydney hostage crisis.

Instead of mentioning the two innocent people who died in the terrifying ordeal, Murdoch extended his "congrats" to one of his tabloid newspapers.

"AUST gets wake-call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2.00 am. Congrats," Murdoch tweeted.

His tweet prompted a flood of criticism on Twitter, with people angry he bragged about his own newspaper rather than mentioning the victims.

"You sick man RT @rupertmurdoch AUST gets wake-call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2.00 am. Congrats," pop singer Anthony Callea tweeted.

Winners and Losers star Melanie Vallejo said Murdoch's tweet was disgusting, while comedian Adam Hills said: "I'm sorry. Is this real?"

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd's daughter, Jessica Rudd, also took to Twitter.

"Good grief @rupertmurdoch AUST gets wake-call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2.00 am. Congrats," she said.

Author Mike Carlton was one of the first people to criticise Murdoch's behaviour.

"You'd think @rupertmurdoch would be having another of his humble days. But he's actually boasting about the Telegraph coverage. Disgraceful," he said.

Other tweeters hurled all sorts of names at Murdoch, calling him a "callous prick" and "morbid ghoul".

"@rupertmurdoch are you actually the spawn of Satan? Serious question," @jonainscough said.