Second charge laid against reporter Ben McCormack

A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack has been hit with a second charge of child porn offences which if convicted could see him face up to 15 years' behind bars.

McCormack was arrested by New South Wales detectives on the April 6 during a vehicle stop in Sydney's inner south-east. He was taken to Redfern Police Station before being released on a strict bail.

The 42-year-old was charged with using a carriage service for child pornography material.

In court today it was revealed police have laid a second identical charge against McCormack, alleging he had engaged in explicit conversations about children with an adult male and discussed child pornography.

McCormack was due to face the Downing Centre Local Court today for a police mention. However, he was a no show as he remains in a private hospital.

His lawyer, Sam Macedone, told the court his client remained in hospital and tendered a medical certificate on his behalf.

"I'll endeavour to get some instructions from Ben, who is currently being treated in hospital and he's not in a good way, so I can't get a lot out of him at this stage," Mr Macedone said outside court today.

Mr Macedone said the charges against McCormack have "nothing to do with the usual child pornography".

"None of the charges that have been levelled against him involves pictures or explicit details of young kids," he said.

"It's got nothing to do with the usual child pornography where you've got young children being photographed or in a video or anything like that. It's nothing more than a discussion and that's all there is."

The court was told police are still sifting through computer hard drives seized after McCormack's arrest. They asked for six weeks to arrange a brief of evidence causing the matter to be adjourned.

The case is scheduled to return to court on July 4.