Ben Roberts-Smith: The Truth

Year 2023Episode 1860 minJuni 4, 2023
Ben Roberts-Smith: The Truth

For many Australians, it's almost too difficult to even imagine. In a landmark defamation trial, the country's most revered and decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been found to be a murderer and a war criminal.

On Thursday, Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko delivered his judgement in the case.

It came after Roberts-Smith sued Nine Newspapers and reporters Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, following damning articles they wrote about the Victoria Cross recipient in 2018.

The journalists' investigation revealed that far from being a hero of the Afghanistan war, Roberts-Smith broke moral and legal rules of military engagement, including being involved, directly and indirectly, in the murders of a number of innocent Afghan civilians and other persons-under-control (PUCs). 

He also engaged in multiple acts of violence including bullying and intimidation of fellow SAS soldiers. 

Roberts-Smith was not in Sydney to hear Justice Besanko's decision, instead preferring to holiday in Bali.

Outside the Federal Court, McKenzie and Masters re-enforced the importance of the role journalists have in exposing truth, even in cases where revealing wrongdoing could have embarrassing and serious national security implications.

They also acknowledged the bravery of the SAS soldiers who spoke out to defend the truth.

Since 2019, 60 Minutes has supported the reporting of McKenzie and Masters by broadcasting multiple stories about Afghanistan war atrocities committed by Australian soldiers.

In a special edition of the program, Tom Steinfort reveals even more information about what really happened in Afghanistan.

As part of his report, Steinfort, cameraman Scott Morelli and sound recordist Matt Brown made a dangerous journey to Kabul to speak to Afghan witnesses to Robert-Smith's alleged crimes.

It's believed the 60 Minutes team members are the first Australian media to travel to Afghanistan since the Taliban reclaimed control of the country in August 2021.

Ben Roberts-Smith: The Truth has aired on Juni 4, 2023 at 20:40
Previous EpisodeNext Episode

Trailer

We do not have any trailers for this episode

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Home and Away
Running

Home and Away

Home and Away follows the lives and loves of the residents in Summer Bay, a fictional seaside town of New South Wales. The series initially focuses on the Fletcher family – Tom, Pippa and their five foster children, Frank Morgan, Carly Morris, Lynn Davenport, Steven Matheson and Sally Fletcher – who relocated from the city and moved into the Summer Bay House, where they took on the new job of running the caravan park, and eventually took in a sixth foster child, Bobby Simpson.

GenreDrama
Neighbours
Running

Neighbours

The continuation of the long-running daily drama series—about the lives, loves, and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne. 

GenreDrama
Father Brown
Running

Father Brown

Drama based on the stories by G.K. Chesterton, about a crime-solving Roman Catholic priest.

GenreDrama, Crime
Call the Midwife
Running

Call the Midwife

Drama following the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s & decades following.  Based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Running

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

With roadside diners, vintage drive-ins and out-of-the-way "dives" enjoying a resurgence of hipness among foodies, host Guy Fieri travels across America in search of some of the best "greasy spoon" eateries. The restaurants that Guy visits are usually well-known among locals and other people in the region. While at each location, Fieri talks to the staff as well as the customers to get their thoughts on the food. Many episodes feature eateries that are connected by a common thread, such as burgers or comfort foods but its all here on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

GenreFood, Travel