News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch has described Alex Salmond as "an amusing guy" during evidence to the Leveson Inquiry.
He went on to say his relationship with the First Minister was "warm" and he thinks Scottish independence is a "nice idea".
When asked if he was responsible for the Scottish Sun backing the SNP in the 2011 Scottish elections, Mr Murdoch said "I don’t remember, but probably yes."
It comes as Mr Salmond is under pressure from opposition leaders to make a statement to Holyrood about his relationship with the Murdoch family.
Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all insisted there were questions Mr Salmond needed to answer over whether he had been prepared to intervene and lobby UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the proposed takeover of BSkyB.
During evidence from James Murdoch on Tuesday, it emerged News Corp's director of public affairs Frederic Michel emailed James Murdoch and said: "I met with Alex Salmond's adviser today. He will call Hunt whenever we need him to."
Mr Salmond said there was no "quid pro quo" arrangement in any dealings with News International.
He said: "There can't be possibly any suggestion of wrong-doing or impropriety. What has happened to Jeremy Hunt's special adviser is totally different.
"It's a question of legality and quasi-judicial rule. That's not the position of the Scottish Government. It's ridiculous to look for a comparison and I'm sure Lord Justice Leveson will realise that as well.
"But I'm responsible for what goes on in the Scottish administration. I shall be delighted to go along to the Leveson Inquiry and explain why it's our responsibility to advocate jobs and investment for Scotland.
"There was no quid pro quo because we were not in any position to deliver any quid pro quo. There was no quid therefore there was no pro."
Opposition leaders said Mr Salmond had so far refused to make a statement to Holyrood on the matter.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, along with Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, said the First Minister "must make a statement on his relationship with Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and News International".
In a joint statement they said: "Alex Salmond must tell us whether or not he offered to lobby the UK Government on behalf of the Murdoch family and News International with regard to their proposed takeover of BskyB.
"It is an affront to Scottish democracy that while the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, is making a statement on the matter, the First Minister refuses to make a statement to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. The First Minister cannot be allowed to treat the Scottish Parliament as second-class."
They insisted that "in the interests of Scottish democracy and in the interests of the Scottish people", Mr Salmond must make a statement to MSPs.
A letter from Mr Salmond to James Murdoch from January last year recalled that the two men had discussed "business opportunities for BSkyB in Scotland" over lunch in London.
The letter states: "I look forward to continuing our conversation on BSkyB's presence in Scotland. I would also enjoy the opportunity to reciprocate your hospitality here in Scotland. Therefore, I very much hope that you would be able to join me for dinner at Bute House at some point in the next two months."
In February 2011 Mr Michel sent the email to Mr Murdoch stating: "I met with Alex Salmond's adviser today. He will call Hunt whenever we need him to."
Then, in March last year, Mr Michel wrote that Mr Salmond called him, praising "a very good dinner with the Editor of the Sun in Scotland", stating that "The Sun is now keen to back the SNP at the election".
Mr Michel wrote: "Alex wanted to see whether we could help smooth the way for the process."
The First Minister's spokesman said the letter to Mr Murdoch made it "abundantly clear" that both Mr Salmond and the Scottish Government were "focused on jobs and investment in Scotland".
He said: "News Corp, BSkyB, is one of the biggest private sector employers in Scotland with 6800 people or thereabouts. Consolidating that jobs presence in Scotland, enhancing it if possible, that's what it was all about."
Speaking at the Leveson Inquiry on Tuesday, James Murdoch denied there was any "quid pro quo" deal with Mr Salmond.
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