Episode 314 - Chad & Niko are joined by Sydney Lawyer, Rowena, to uncover the gripping story of Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, who recently suffered a devastating loss in the Federal Court after a five-year civil case against three newspapers and three journalists. In 2018, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times published articles containing allegations of unlawful killings in Afghanistan, SAS bullying, and domestic violence. The war veteran denied all wrongdoing and lodged 14 defamatory claims against the stories.

The most serious accusations, brought forward by publisher Nine Entertainment, implicated the soldier in six unlawful killings. Testimonies from numerous SAS soldiers, offering conflicting accounts of key missions, left the judge with a stark choice between irreconcilable narratives.

Join us as we dissect the aftermath of this high-stakes trial.

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(0:00) Intro

(2:45) Why so Expensive?

(14:30) The Trial

(21:28) No Reputation Left...

(25:27) Secret Witnesses

(33:31) Substantial vs Contextual Truth

(36:42) Is he a War Criminal?

(45:15) The Truth vs Public Interest

(51:36) Could he Appeal?

(1:00:27) Who Made BRS?

(1:08:42) The Media's Fail...

(1:13:47) Criminal Proceedings

Written and Created by Chad James