Ben Roberts-Smith
Date Range
Score Range
news.com.au : Next step for Ben Roberts-Smith after being charged with war crimes
Subject under serious criminal allegations, but presumption of innocence preserved
[loaded_language] avoided; allegations presented factually with attribution. However, repeated emphasis on 'alleged' and inclusion of denial slightly softens negative framing, but gravity of charges dominates.
“It’s alleged he took part in the killings of five unarmed men while the former SAS soldier was deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.”
news.com.au : Ben Roberts-Smith’s bizarre sighting inside Brisbane Broncos dressing room
framed as facing serious integrity issues due to war crimes charges
[loaded_labels], [missing_historical_context] — The article uses 'accused war criminal' once but balances it with valorising language, creating a tension that downplays the severity of the charges.
“The Victoria’s Cross recipient was not a guest of the NRL club...”
news.com.au : Senate Estimates committee told Attorney-General approved Ben Roberts-Smith war crimes prosecution faster than ISIS brides
portrays Roberts-Smith sympathetically through emphasis on military honors
Describing him as a 'decorated war veteran' and highlighting his Victoria Cross frames him as credible and worthy of respect, subtly countering allegations.
“decorated war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith”
news.com.au : ‘We will support him to the day we die’: Kids of fallen SAS heroes break …
Roberts-Smith portrayed as deeply trustworthy and morally upright
Loaded adjectives and glittering generalities are used without challenge to depict Roberts-Smith as incorruptible and selfless, directly countering allegations of war crimes.
“He is an extremely humble, selfless, caring and truely genuine man who has done unthinkable things for our family”
news.com.au : ‘Traitor’: Ben Roberts-Smith’s girlfriend deletes comment slamming Andrew Hastie
portrayed as wronged but maintaining integrity
[editorializing], [framing_by_emphasis], [cherry_picking]
“Mr Roberts-Smith said he was proud of his service in Afghanistan. “While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training and within the rules of engagement,” he said.”
news.com.au : ‘Hope the truth comes out’: Huge response to Ben Roberts-Smith interview
portrayed as honest and unjustly targeted
[loaded_language], [appeal_to_emotion], [cherry_picking]
““Ben’s a hero and what’s occurring is a national disgrace,” one person wrote.”
news.com.au : From Gallipoli to today: How Australia and New Zealand remember Anzac Day in 2026
Mild framing of Roberts-Smith as under ethical scrutiny due to war crimes allegations
[loaded_language] The article delays full context of the allegations and initially emphasizes his status, but the presence of serious charges introduces a negative trust frame.
“who has confirmed he will attend commemorations this year while on bail facing five counts of alleged war crime murder relating to his service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.”