He once exposed paedophiles on TV—now he’s facing charges of his own
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Content warning: This article contains details of alleged child abuse material offences.
He once stood at the frontline of Australian journalism, confronting paedophiles and standing up for victims.
Now, the very man who helped expose one of TV’s darkest scandals is facing chilling charges of his own.
A veteran Channel Nine reporter has been accused of transmitting child abuse material more than 60 times.
Ben McCormack, the former *A Current Affair journalist once praised for his consumer stories and social justice work, has been charged with 64 counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
He also faced one count of transmitting such material to himself.
Police alleged the offences occurred on 65 occasions from McCormack’s home in Oxley, Brisbane, on various dates throughout 2024.
McCormack, 51, also faced three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations and one count of providing false or misleading information.
His matter was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, 4 August.
He was not required to appear in person.
Legal Aid duty lawyer Zane Playle made no application for bail, instead requesting the case be adjourned to 5 September.
McCormack had worked at the Nine Network since the 1990s, rising through the ranks to become a senior reporter.
He was most recognisable for his role on A Current Affair, where he often covered consumer affairs and social justice issues.
He also famously confronted *Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes in 2010, after allegations emerged that Hughes had sexually abused young girls in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hughes was later found guilty in 2014 of 10 offences relating to four victims.
McCormack phoned survivor Sarah Monahan following the guilty verdict, having watched the trial unfold in the courtroom.
At the time, Channel Nine described McCormack as a ‘25 year veteran of the network’.
But in 2017, his career came to an abrupt end when he was suspended and later resigned.
His return to the public eye has now taken a grim and unexpected turn.
When allegations involve men in positions of power and trust, the public response is often one of disbelief, anger, and deep concern.
Another disturbing case recently emerged involving a former bank executive accused of trying to arrange a meeting with underage girls.
It’s yet another reminder of how authority can be abused—and the difficult questions that follow when bail is granted.
Read more: When men in power target children, should bail even be an option?
It’s a fall from grace that has stunned the nation—and raised disturbing questions about trust in those who claim to protect the vulnerable.
He once stood at the frontline of Australian journalism, confronting paedophiles and standing up for victims.
Now, the very man who helped expose one of TV’s darkest scandals is facing chilling charges of his own.
A veteran Channel Nine reporter has been accused of transmitting child abuse material more than 60 times.
Ben McCormack, the former *A Current Affair journalist once praised for his consumer stories and social justice work, has been charged with 64 counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
He also faced one count of transmitting such material to himself.
Police alleged the offences occurred on 65 occasions from McCormack’s home in Oxley, Brisbane, on various dates throughout 2024.
McCormack charged over child abuse material. Image source: Facebook
McCormack, 51, also faced three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations and one count of providing false or misleading information.
His matter was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, 4 August.
He was not required to appear in person.
Legal Aid duty lawyer Zane Playle made no application for bail, instead requesting the case be adjourned to 5 September.
McCormack had worked at the Nine Network since the 1990s, rising through the ranks to become a senior reporter.
He was most recognisable for his role on A Current Affair, where he often covered consumer affairs and social justice issues.
He also famously confronted *Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes in 2010, after allegations emerged that Hughes had sexually abused young girls in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hughes was later found guilty in 2014 of 10 offences relating to four victims.
McCormack phoned survivor Sarah Monahan following the guilty verdict, having watched the trial unfold in the courtroom.
At the time, Channel Nine described McCormack as a ‘25 year veteran of the network’.
But in 2017, his career came to an abrupt end when he was suspended and later resigned.
His return to the public eye has now taken a grim and unexpected turn.
When allegations involve men in positions of power and trust, the public response is often one of disbelief, anger, and deep concern.
Another disturbing case recently emerged involving a former bank executive accused of trying to arrange a meeting with underage girls.
It’s yet another reminder of how authority can be abused—and the difficult questions that follow when bail is granted.
Read more: When men in power target children, should bail even be an option?
It’s a fall from grace that has stunned the nation—and raised disturbing questions about trust in those who claim to protect the vulnerable.
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