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.
Trailer
Recently Updated Shows
The Rookie
The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.
The Studio
As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting, and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes movies, it's the job Matt's been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.
True Detective
Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. True Detective centers on troubled cops and the investigations that drive them to the edge. Each season features a new cast and a new case.
True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created and written by Nic Pizzolatto.
S.W.A.T.
Shemar Moore stars as a locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant newly tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, former Marine Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson has everything it takes to be an excellent leader and bridge the divide between his two worlds.
