Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has joined Twitter.
The 80-year-old News Corp. CEO’s account emerged in the final hours of 2011 and includes musings on everything from Ron Paul to how eager he is to get back to work after the holidays.
The site’s executive chairman Jack Dorsey confirmed: “With his own voice, in his own way, @RupertMurdoch is now on Twitter.”
While Murdoch’s account has been verified, an account in his wife’s name – Wendi Deng Murdoch – also emerged today – although the identity of the tweeter has not been confirmed.
Featuring a picture of the couple enjoying a cuddle, @Wendi_Deng claims to be “Joining my husband @rupertmurdoch in our new digital adventure on Twitter.”
In reply to a new year's greeting from Murdoch, @Wendi_Deng replied with: “happy 2012 to u too sweetheart. I LOVE U!!!”
Whether or not the account is real, the frequently soppy to-and-fro conversation between the two has proven entertaining for followers of both accounts, with one fan calling it "a real soap opera".
Deng was filmed leaping to her husband’s aid when he was attacked with a “pie” made of shaving foam as he gave evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee about the phone hacking scandal on 19 July.
The former volleyball player earned worldwide praise after slapping her husband’s assailant – Jonathan May Bowles – on the head during the incident.
Today former deputy prime minister John Prescott was one of the first to welcome Murdoch to the Twittersphere, cheekily adding: "I've left you a Happy New Year message on my voicemail!"