Suspended A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack appeared in court today in relation to child porn offences. He is charged with two counts of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child porn.
His lawyer Sam Macedone told the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney that negotiations were progressing with Commonwealth prosecutors but they needed “a bit more time” and asked the case be adjourned until September 26.
Mr Macedone says he’s confident a plea will be entered when McCormack faces court later this month.
McCormack was also granted a change in his bail conditions during the court appearance – he now has to report to police every Monday, instead of twice a week.
Ben McCormack on A Current Affair
The veteran journalist was arrested in April when police officers sensationally raided A Current Affair’s Willoughby offices in North Sydney before arresting him.
Several reports suggest detectives seized computers, a mobile phone and electronic storage devices during the raid. McCormack’s unit, located in the suburb of Alexandria, was also searched.
Police will allege he discussed child pornography and engaged in explicit conversations about children with an adult male, of which the charges carry up to 15 years imprisonment.
McCormack missed the first court mention of his child porn case due to still being hospitalised a month after he checked himself in.
Mr Macedone told reporters at the time that McCormack was “not in a good place” and wasn’t well enough to discuss his plea.
Channel Nine have been quick to distance themselves from the investigation, with several news bulletins leading with news of Mr McCormack’s arrest and subsequent charging.
A Current Affair host Leila McKinnon told viewers that the program would cover the story “without fear or favour”.
WATCH: A Current Affair responds to Ben McCormack being charged with over alleged child porn offences. Post continues…
