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.