Categories: News

Abbott criticism becomes #electronicgraffiti

In seeking to defend the controversial announcement of the knighting of Prince Philip, Prime Minister Tony Abbott only sparked another social media outcry that he was out of touch with modern Australia.

Speaking to reporters at an Australia Day event in Canberra, Mr Abbott said he stood by the decision to award the knighthood the Duke of Edinburgh because “the monarchy has been an important part of Australia’s life since 1788”.

“I’m just really pleased that in his 90s, towards the end of a life of service and duty, we in this country are able to properly acknowledge what he’s done for us,” he said.

But when answering questions about the growing furore over granting the Australian imperial award to the Queen’s own husband, Mr Abbott described the social media outcry as “electronic graffiti” that wasn’t fit for reporting on.

“I think that in the media, you make a big mistake to pay too much attention to social media. You wouldn’t report what’s sprayed up on the walls of buildings and look, as I said, social media has its place, but it’s anonymous,” he told reporters.

“It’s often very abusive and in a sense, it has about as much authority and credibility as graffiti that happens to be put forward by means of IT,” he added.

And naturally, Twitter users took their cue with relish:

Cameron Jenkins

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Cameron Jenkins
Tags: Australia DayAustralian politicsNews in Australiapoliticssocial mediaTony AbbottTwitter
26 January 2015 4:03 PM