Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
January 14, 2008

Times reporter used secret code on Everest scoop

By Patrick

The Times devised an elaborate code to keep Fleet Street rivals off the scent to bag the exclusive story of Sir Edmund Hillary’s conquering of Mount Everest in 1953, according to Saturday’s paper.

Subeditor James Morris, the only journalist to accompany the expedition and a former intelligence officer, wrote the code to fool the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail, who also had reporters in Kathmandu.

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Websites in our network