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Loading... Crossing the Lineby Nick McKenzie
None No current Talk conversations about this book.  bigship | Oct 5, 2023 |  no reviews | add a review
An explosive exposé and testament to the power of investigative journalism. In mid-2017, whispers from Australia's most secretive and elite military unit reached Walkley Award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie. McKenzie and veteran reporter Chris Masters began an investigation that would not only reveal shocking information about Australia's most famous and revered SAS soldier but plunge the two reporters into the defamation trial of the century. For five years, McKenzie waged an epic fight for the truth to be acknowledged, persuading special forces soldiers to reveal dark secrets about the murders of prisoners and civilians involving Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. This fight to investigate allegations of war crimes and murder took McKenzie across Australia and to Afghanistan, and from the newsroom to the courtroom. It would see him sued for defamation by Ben Roberts-Smith, who denied the allegations. The reporter had to confront the powerful forces that could destroy his career and silence brave SAS soldiers who were prepared to speak up. An enthralling and meticulously researched book, Crossing the Line tells the untold story of how a small group of brave soldiers and two determined reporters exposed one of the greatest military scandals in Australian history. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)355.00Social sciences Public Administration, Military Science Military ScienceRatingAverage: (3.83)
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Wikipedia in English
1
My relative disinterest was largely because it is the story of the much reported defamation claim brought by the very high profile Victoria Cross holder Ben Roberts Smith against Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters (and their respective newspapers). I had heard much of the claims ie that BRS (as he often known) breached the rule of law (yes, there are some in war) during his time serving in Afghanistan, including that he murdered at least one person.
Not being a criminal trial, but rather a defamation trial brought by BRS, the defendants in essence had to convince the Court that their reporting was in substance true on the balance of probabilities.
As the investigative reporters worked, it became very obvious that BRS was a polarising figure. Some were strongly on his side. Some refused to speak (even anonymously). Yet others spoke to the reporters but made clear that they would not willingly give evidence in court, except under subpoenaed. Even then, the defence team could not be such that the witnesses would not wilt whilst on the stand and recant their earlier commentary.
The book is very much the story of the trial, including how the reporters found themselves in court, the building of the defence and the trial itself. I understand that Chris Masters has also written a book covering much of the same story but goes into much more detail as to the evidence of what happened in Afghanistan.
In the end, the defence had done sufficient to enable the court to find that what the reporters had published was substantially true.
BRS has appealed the decision. And again, this was not a criminal trial, so there remains the prospect that BRS (and others named in the Brereton Report) will face criminal charges.
Whether or not that occurs, this episode represents an almost complete fall from grace by BRS, the Victoria Cross holder and Australian Father of the Year.
It is an easy read for anyone who wants to read more about this topic, though one might also consider Chris Master's book as well (which I have not read) given my comments above about it containing more detail as to what happened in Afghanistan.
Big Ship
6 October 2023