Former Nine Network journalist Ben McCormack has pleaded guilty to two charges of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child pornography. The 43-year-old, who worked on the program A Current Affair, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
According to the agreed statement of facts, McCormack used the online alias Oz4skinboi in conversations with another man over more than two years, during which he expressed a sexual interest in young boys. In one exchange from July 2015, he described himself as “a total b loving pedo” and said he would “always have the attraction”.
McCormack was arrested in April after police raided the A Current Affair office in Sydney and his home. The Nine Network confirmed he resigned and is no longer employed by the network.
His lawyer, Sam Macedone, stated that McCormack had always admitted his actions but maintained that no images of child exploitation were traded. “It was nothing more than fantasy talk, but no transporting of images,” Macedone said. Court documents note that while images were exchanged, there is no evidence they depicted children in pornographic poses or activities.
McCormack is next due to appear in court on 6 October.
