There are reputations to be lost on either side depending on the result of Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith's lawsuit against Nine's newspapers over war crimes allegations.
Accused of abuse and involvement in the murder of an Afghan civilian, Australia's most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith is suing Nine newspapers for defamation - an action funded by Nine media rival Kerry Stokes. ADF
However you frame it, this could be the defamation case of the century. The most decorated Australian soldier against the most awarded journalist. A media billionaire bankrolling an attack on his primary competitor. The record of an elite regiment and the highest military honour against a war few Australians understand or care about. Freedom of the press versus the reputation of a celebrated individual.
Former Special Air Service corporal and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is suing Nine Entertainment Co and two journalists, Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, and a former journalist, David Wroe, in the Federal Court.
