The ruling marks a win for media outlets seeking greater accountability for Australia's military, typically bound by confidentiality.
A 2020 report found credible evidence that members of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) killed dozens of unarmed prisoners in the lengthy Afghan war.
Roberts-Smith sued the papers for portraying him as someone who "broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement".
The papers had reported that Roberts-Smith pressured a lower-ranking Australian soldier to execute an elderly, unarmed Afghan to "blood the rookie", said Judge Besanko, adding they proved that account true.
"This case is an important reminder that we need courageous public interest journalism to help us get there."
Persons:
Ben Roberts, Smith, Anthony Besanko, Roberts, Judge Besanko, James Chessell, Chessell, Arthur Moses, Besanko, inadvertentely, Fiona Nelson, Byron Kaye, Shri Navaratnam, Michael Perry
Organizations:
SYDNEY, SAS, Australia's Special Air Service Regiment, China, Victoria Cross, Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times, Nine Entertainment Co, Australian Centre for International, Thomson
Locations:
Sydney, Afghanistan, Afghan, Australian, Australia