Rupert Murdoch sorry for Obama 'real black president' tweet

Rupert Murdoch has issued an apology after sparking a social media backlash following his suggestion that President Barack Obama isn't a "real black President."

The founder of the global News Corp media empire was praising Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife on Twitter when he wrote: "Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?"

He also recommended a New York magazine article asking whether Obama has done enough for the African-American community.

Murdoch, who founded Fox News Channel, has since apologised and tweeted that he "personally find(s) both men charming".

The 84-year-old Murdoch has praised Carson on Twitter before, calling him "irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision".