Jax Jacobsen
Journalist, Editor
Professional Status
Freelancer
Available
About Me
Veteran journalist with a passion for research and pursuing new angles behind breaking stories. Proven ability to gain trust of industry leaders and others and to bring deeper, more insightful approach to reporting.
Freelance journalist
Freelance
Since 2014
Freelancer
Paris
France
- Writing on mining, natural resources, biodiversity, and science for S&P Global Market Intelligence, RGN Magazine, Mining Magazine, Global Arbitration Review, and others.
- Also published pieces in Montreal Gazette and The Riveter.
Canada Correspondent, Metals and Mining
SNL Financial
2013
to 2014
Full-time
Halifax
Canada
- I led coverage of North American and global mining news, with a focus on developments in Canada.
- I led coverage of North American and global mining news, with a focus on developments in Canada.
- I beat competitor magazine CIM Magazine on its renewable energy in mining story by a good two weeks, and scooped Forbes Africa on its cover story about the sole South African mine owned and operated by a woman.
- I launched and maintained a blog - North American Auger - and regularly updated it with the latest Canadian mining and financial news.
- I've represented SNL at several conferences this year, including PDAC in March and following it up with a lithium supply and markets conference in May and the Canadian International Aluminum Conference in June.
- I was SNL's 7th most-followed journalist on Twitter and am often one of the most frequent Tweeters.
- Was first to be nominated in department for Story of the Month: Uranium (April 2014).
- Twice included in Foreign Policy Interrupted's weekly digest of best work by female journalists.
Managing Editor/Senior Writer
Central Asia Newswire
April 2011
to April 2013
Full-time
New York
United States - New York
- Solely responsible for overseeing daily newswire publication covering economic, political developments in Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan;
- Manage social media accounts, substantially increase number of followers on Twitter (40%), Facebook (70%), and Google+ (30%);
Reporter
Central Asia Newswire
July 2010
to April 2011
- Monitor breaking news and emerging economic and political trends in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan;
- Author short web-friendly news updates as well as longer in-depth pieces analyzing developments in the region;
- Locate new interview subjects, undertake interviews with policy players, academics, and media observers;
- Edit and fact-check over 4,000 short news briefs to be included in daily publications;
Features Editor
Magharebia
July 2009
to 2010
- Edit and fact-check feature articles received from on-the-ground reporters in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Mauritania;
- Undertake daily publication of web site and distribution of electronic newsletters;
- Write daily news summaries, which involve translating source articles from French and placing events in context;
- Conduct background research for longer articles, as well as contacting authors on-the-ground in French for additional fact-checking;
- Maintain database of contributed photographs and provide data to accounting and payroll;
Parliamentary Researcher
House of Commons
November 2007
to September 2008
London
United Kingdom
- Monitor parliamentary debates of interest to MP
- Conducted research on education policy, housing policy, banking reform, and other bills for MP Michael Meacher
- Led the campaign for Social Mobility
- Prepare and manage website, social media accounts of MP
Adjunct Professor
College of Staten Island
November 2005
to June 2007
Staten Island
United States
- Design and teach eight courses in international politics and American national government
- Create course websites for student feedback and additional course materials
- Write and grade exams
- Lead writing workshops for students who needed writing assistance
UN Correspondent
Media Global News
November 2005
to June 2007
New York
United States - New York
- Serve as the UN Correspondent for MediaGlobal.org, where I focused on issues concerning developing nations, namely hunger, poverty, and funding.
- Interview UN officials, government officials from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and health officials
Parliamentary Researcher, Scottish National Party
House of Commons
January 2003
to April 2003
London
United Kingdom
- Extensively research and author reports on Scottish economic trends, taxation issues, and health care funding for the Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Interview government officials, local residents for SNP policy reports
- Maintain voting records of SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, and Scottish Liberal Democrats on Scotland-related issues
- Regularly attend parliamentary sessions and hearings for research purposes
- French - Fluent
- English - Native
- Spanish - Beginner
- Russian - Beginner
- Best story in April 2014 – SNL Financial Metals & Mining Desk
- Twice included in Foreign Policy Interrupted’s Friday round-up of notable reporting by female journalists (2014)
- The Guardian (UK) International Development Journalism finalist (2008)
- Sensitivity to complex content issues
- Over 10 years of web editing and editorial experience
- Ability to convey information clearly and concisely
- Ability to select appropriate communication approaches
- Skilled in using web-based technologies to transform and broadcast media monologues into social media dialogues
- Fostered the creation and exchange of user-generated content to build value and brand loyalty for my company and reach influential consumers
- Actively maintain Facebook account with more than 5,000 subscribers, providing a 2-way multimedia conversation: Facebook.com/CentralAsiaNewswire
- Build a loyal group of 1,380 Twitter fans in just 6 months, providing value, learning from industry experts, and staying current with technology: Twitter.com/CANewswires
- Proficiency in all MS Office applications with additional expertise in content management systems (CMS)
- Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe PhotoShop
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, international environment
- Experience in a multicultural environment
- Ability to work on a team, as well as working autonomously
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Functional Web Design for Today's News Audiences, Newsu.org
International Journalism, graduated with distinction
Considered "Oxbridge" of international journalism programs
Learn more
Considered "Oxbridge" of international journalism programs
Concentration in UK Politics; one of 16 American students chosen each semester by the Hansard Society to study at LSE.
Political Science, Magna cum Laude
Selected as Marist's first-ever Rhodes Scholarship Nominee
Selected as Marist's first-ever Rhodes Scholarship Nominee
