News Corp Commentator Andrew Bolt Breaks Ranks on Ben Roberts-Smith Prosecution
In a significant departure from his employer's editorial position, prominent News Corp commentator Andrew Bolt has voiced support for the war crimes prosecution of former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith. This stance marks a notable break from News Corp's approach since 2018, when allegations against the Victoria Cross recipient first surfaced in major Australian publications.
Bolt's Unusual Position on Military Accountability
In his Herald Sun column, Bolt posed a direct question to those defending Roberts-Smith: "Do you think Australian soldiers should be allowed to shoot unarmed prisoners?" This intervention comes amid ongoing legal proceedings and intense media scrutiny surrounding allegations that Roberts-Smith committed murder and other war crimes during his military service.
The commentator's position represents a rare instance of dissent within News Corp's typically unified editorial front. Bolt has previously demonstrated independence, notably in 2021 when he criticized the company's net zero emissions campaign as "rubbish" and "global warming propaganda."
Years of Controversial Media Coverage
The Roberts-Smith case has exposed deep divisions within Australian media. Since 2018, when The Age and Sydney Morning Herald published their initial investigations, News Corp publications have generally taken a defensive position toward the former soldier. Roberts-Smith hired public relations firm and investigative reporter Ross Coulthart as a consultant, resulting in favorable coverage in The Weekend Australian that included photographs with his then-wife Emma.
Reporters Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, who broke the original stories, have faced sustained criticism in News Corp outlets. As recently as May last year, McKenzie was accused on Sky News Australia of unethical behavior regarding secret recordings, though Roberts-Smith's application to reopen the appeal over these recordings was ultimately rejected.
New Book Examines News Corp Tactics
The media dynamics surrounding this case feature prominently in "Getting Murdoched," a new book by journalism academics Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson. The work analyzes Rupert Murdoch's media operations across major markets including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Through interviews with former News Corp reporters and subjects of the company's coverage, the book reveals systematic tactics employed by Murdoch publications. Chris Masters, who wrote about the personal cost of attacks on his work in his 2023 book "Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes," serves as a key case study.
Broader Media Landscape Developments
Meanwhile, other media controversies continue to unfold. During a recent press conference about fuel crisis implications, 7News Spotlight reporter Liam Bartlett engaged in a heated exchange with Energy Minister Chris Bowen regarding renewable energy policies. The confrontation, which included Bartlett referencing "13 emails" sent to the minister since January, was subsequently promoted on 7NEWS social media channels to trail an upcoming investigation.
In another development, former Nine and Sky News broadcaster Erin Molan has joined conservative content generator PragerU as a presenter. Describing herself as "unwilling to be silenced or sidelined for her views," Molan now produces content on topics including immigration and extremism for the platform that aims to attract young people to conservative ideology.
The Bolt intervention in the Roberts-Smith case highlights ongoing tensions within Australian media about journalistic independence, corporate alignment, and the complex relationship between patriotism and accountability in military matters.
