A passenger reads the Daily Telegraph newspaper
A passenger reads the Daily Telegraph newspaper, featuring a front page interview with the ex-husband of accused Russian spy Anna Chapman, on the underground in London July 2, 2010. Chapman, one of 10 arrested, was denied bail on Monday in New York after U.S. authorities said they broke up a spy ring that carried out deep-cover work in the United States to recruit political sources and gather information for the Russian government. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

NSW Premier Mike Baird was criticised after he had appeared on a video commercial. His involvement with the Daily Telegraph advertisement had come only months before the NSW state election.

Baird may have dragged himself under controversy as he may now be accused of favouring News Corp Australia, which owns Daily Telegraph. The 30-second commercial shows Baird sitting on a train with some Daily Telegraph columnists like Andrew Bolt, Miranda Devine and Andrew Clennell. He is seen reading a story about himself on the tablet app of the newspaper. The commercial also features well-known personalities like Chef Matt Moran and cricketer Brett Lee.

Greens MP John Kaye said that Baird's appearance on such a commercial was "deeply inappropriate." "He has exposed himself to the risk of being accused of currying favour with one outlet in order to get appropriate coverage during the election," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Kaye, who found it odd that the Premiere was advertising for one particular media outlet with less than six months before the election. He also said that it was a compromised position where had put himself in. Kaye said that the Premier's actions would disappoint those members of the public who would expect "robust and unbiased media commentary."

However, when Baird's spokesman was asked by The Sydney Morning Herald if it was inappropriate for him to appear on the commercial, he said that the Premiere was promoting newspapers. He said that it was a good thing for people to buy and read newspapers. "The Premier would be happy to appear in an ad for The Sydney Morning Herald if asked," he said.

According to Sydney Trains, a production company paid for the advertisement to be used on trains. The exact amount paid was, however, not disclosed. A spokesman said that services had not been affected when the filming of the advertisement took place. "As is the normal procedure, the production company responsible paid a fee to cover the running costs for the use of the entire train," he said.

Sky News reported that Baird's involvement with the commercial was criticised on Twitter. One of the users, Bevan Shields, called it "jaw dropping" as Baird appeared on the commercial. "Truly staggered the NSW Premier @mikebairdMP has appeared in an ad for The Daily Telegraph. Jaw dropping," he wrote.

Truly staggered the NSW Premier @mikebairdMP has appeared in an ad for The Daily Telegraph. Jaw dropping https://t.co/xhdvGjp0ln #nswpol

— Bevan Shields (@bevanshields85) October 13, 2014

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au