Jess Staufenberg
@jessstaufenberg.bsky.social
Journalist on corruption, climate, state of democracy @source-material.org. Former @schoolsweek.bsky.social @feweek.bsky.social, cofounder @pepforum.bsky.social. jess@source-material.org for stories or jhstaufenberg@gmail.com
I'm so grateful to belong to a newsroom that gives reporters time to investigate a story as complex and fascinating as this one by @marcusleroux.bsky.social
Here's the story of Mr Mazzagatti, set to buy up North Sea gas fields & dogged by fraud accusations.
www.source-material.org/mazzagatti-v...
Here's the story of Mr Mazzagatti, set to buy up North Sea gas fields & dogged by fraud accusations.
www.source-material.org/mazzagatti-v...
North Sea Storm – SourceMaterial
Poised to take control of ‘the backbone of the UK’s energy production’, Franceso Mazzagatti is defending allegations bribery, forgery and fraud
www.source-material.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I'm so grateful to belong to a newsroom that gives reporters time to investigate a story as complex and fascinating as this one by @marcusleroux.bsky.social
Here's the story of Mr Mazzagatti, set to buy up North Sea gas fields & dogged by fraud accusations.
www.source-material.org/mazzagatti-v...
Here's the story of Mr Mazzagatti, set to buy up North Sea gas fields & dogged by fraud accusations.
www.source-material.org/mazzagatti-v...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Click on this link to see all the winners of this year's Covering Climate Now awards: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
The 2025 CCNow Journalism Awards — Covering Climate Now
Covering Climate Now is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 CCNow Journalism Awards. Our awards program, now in its fifth year, honors excellent reporting on many critical dimensions of the c...
coveringclimatenow.org
September 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Click on this link to see all the winners of this year's Covering Climate Now awards: coveringclimatenow.org/projects/the...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
And watch the documentary edited by Le Monde here: www.source-material.org/total-mozamb...
Total’s Mozambique gas project faces scrutiny over abuse claims
Governments are reviewing support $20 billion gas project after SourceMaterial revealed abuse allegations against troops defending Mozambique site
www.source-material.org
September 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
And watch the documentary edited by Le Monde here: www.source-material.org/total-mozamb...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
We're delighted to have won in the 'Conflict & Climate Change' category at this year's Covering Climate Now awards with a project in partnership with our colleagues at Le Monde 🏆
September 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
We're delighted to have won in the 'Conflict & Climate Change' category at this year's Covering Climate Now awards with a project in partnership with our colleagues at Le Monde 🏆
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Many other excellent journalists and stories were nominated. You can see the full shortlist here: www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
Shortlist 2025 – Society of Editors
Society of Editors. Protecting the freedom of the news media
www.societyofeditors.org
September 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Many other excellent journalists and stories were nominated. You can see the full shortlist here: www.societyofeditors.org/events/media...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Our story investigated millions of used UK tyres being shipped to India to make dirty fuel, harming people and the environment in the process.
Read more here: www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Read more here: www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Burning Rubber – SourceMaterial
Millions of used UK tyres are being shipped to India to make dirty fuel harming people and the environment
www.source-material.org
September 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Our story investigated millions of used UK tyres being shipped to India to make dirty fuel, harming people and the environment in the process.
Read more here: www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Read more here: www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
We're very pleased to have been shortlisted for the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards 2025 for our story 'Burning Rubber: the poisonous afterlife of waste tyres', in partnership with the BBC.
September 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
We're very pleased to have been shortlisted for the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards 2025 for our story 'Burning Rubber: the poisonous afterlife of waste tyres', in partnership with the BBC.
After meeting the boss of a waste picker association in a cafe in South Korea, it took 6 months to follow him back to his home city of Accra and unpack what he had been saying to me over coffee at the UN's plastic treaty talks.
Story published today with Al Jazeera. Quick 🧵
Story published today with Al Jazeera. Quick 🧵
NEW: SourceMaterial's investigation into a World Bank-backed plastic credits scheme shows it has sparked controversy in Accra, Ghana.
Waste picker associations say they are 'sick and tired' of the 'false solution'.
With @ajenglish.bsky.social:
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
Waste picker associations say they are 'sick and tired' of the 'false solution'.
With @ajenglish.bsky.social:
www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
Ghana’s waste pickers brave mountains of plastic – and big industry
Accra has been picked by a World Bank bond to end the waste crisis. But for informal recyclers, it is a false solution.
www.aljazeera.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:22 AM
After meeting the boss of a waste picker association in a cafe in South Korea, it took 6 months to follow him back to his home city of Accra and unpack what he had been saying to me over coffee at the UN's plastic treaty talks.
Story published today with Al Jazeera. Quick 🧵
Story published today with Al Jazeera. Quick 🧵
It's so not cool to read that financial aid for studying journalism (like the brilliant @nctj.bsky.social) could be removed by Dept of Education.
Angry rebuttal from Society of Editors below. I 100% agree. Journalism needs to get less posh, not more...
www.societyofeditors.org/soe_news/the...
Angry rebuttal from Society of Editors below. I 100% agree. Journalism needs to get less posh, not more...
www.societyofeditors.org/soe_news/the...
June 13, 2025 at 7:57 AM
It's so not cool to read that financial aid for studying journalism (like the brilliant @nctj.bsky.social) could be removed by Dept of Education.
Angry rebuttal from Society of Editors below. I 100% agree. Journalism needs to get less posh, not more...
www.societyofeditors.org/soe_news/the...
Angry rebuttal from Society of Editors below. I 100% agree. Journalism needs to get less posh, not more...
www.societyofeditors.org/soe_news/the...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
🇪🇺 📽️ Last year, the EU spent EUR 22 bn on Russian fossil fuels
⚠️ It is enabling President Putin to continue his war
🎤 The @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social & @vicderbyshire.bsky.social speak with
@ec.europa.eu Vice-President @kajakallas.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHjp...
⚠️ It is enabling President Putin to continue his war
🎤 The @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social & @vicderbyshire.bsky.social speak with
@ec.europa.eu Vice-President @kajakallas.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHjp...
May 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🇪🇺 📽️ Last year, the EU spent EUR 22 bn on Russian fossil fuels
⚠️ It is enabling President Putin to continue his war
🎤 The @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social & @vicderbyshire.bsky.social speak with
@ec.europa.eu Vice-President @kajakallas.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHjp...
⚠️ It is enabling President Putin to continue his war
🎤 The @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social & @vicderbyshire.bsky.social speak with
@ec.europa.eu Vice-President @kajakallas.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHjp...
Good to see that our investigation into waste tyres with my top colleague @atikarehman.bsky.social and our co-reporters at BBC File on 4 Investigates was debated in Westminster this week!
This week MPs debated UK waste tyres illegally burned in India following our investigation with BBC File on 4 Investigates.
"Investigators used GPS tracking devices in several consignments of waste tyres" to expose the trade, says MP
@tessamunt.bsky.social.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
"Investigators used GPS tracking devices in several consignments of waste tyres" to expose the trade, says MP
@tessamunt.bsky.social.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Burning Rubber – SourceMaterial
Millions of used UK tyres are being shipped to India to make dirty fuel harming people and the environment
www.source-material.org
May 1, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Good to see that our investigation into waste tyres with my top colleague @atikarehman.bsky.social and our co-reporters at BBC File on 4 Investigates was debated in Westminster this week!
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Francis survived the attacks, going on to appoint 82 more cardinals before his death—many of whom will take part in the conclave to elect his successor.
The voting will determine whether Francis was able to secure his reformist legacy, or if Burke’s conservative allies regain the Holy See.
The voting will determine whether Francis was able to secure his reformist legacy, or if Burke’s conservative allies regain the Holy See.
April 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Francis survived the attacks, going on to appoint 82 more cardinals before his death—many of whom will take part in the conclave to elect his successor.
The voting will determine whether Francis was able to secure his reformist legacy, or if Burke’s conservative allies regain the Holy See.
The voting will determine whether Francis was able to secure his reformist legacy, or if Burke’s conservative allies regain the Holy See.
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Bannon courted conservative critics of Francis, like Cardinal Raymond Burke, and planned to build a Catholic institute to act as a ‘gladiator school’ for the populist right.
SourceMaterial and others exposed irregularities surrounding the institute’s headquarters, sparking a legal spat.
SourceMaterial and others exposed irregularities surrounding the institute’s headquarters, sparking a legal spat.
April 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Bannon courted conservative critics of Francis, like Cardinal Raymond Burke, and planned to build a Catholic institute to act as a ‘gladiator school’ for the populist right.
SourceMaterial and others exposed irregularities surrounding the institute’s headquarters, sparking a legal spat.
SourceMaterial and others exposed irregularities surrounding the institute’s headquarters, sparking a legal spat.
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Pope Francis was a pontiff in a new mould: an advocate for migrant rights and global action on climate change. Those positions won him powerful enemies. In 2019 our investigation The Heretic in the Vatican revealed the extent of the plot against him. www.source-material.org/the-heretic-...
How Pope Francis became a hate figure for the far right
On a mountain outside Rome, Steve Bannon’s anti-immigrant populism joins forces with Catholic extremists who say a “gay plague” has infected the Vatican.
www.source-material.org
April 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Pope Francis was a pontiff in a new mould: an advocate for migrant rights and global action on climate change. Those positions won him powerful enemies. In 2019 our investigation The Heretic in the Vatican revealed the extent of the plot against him. www.source-material.org/the-heretic-...
Women over 50 were 'markedly underrepresented' in journalism.
Overall 50% of journalist respondents were women but this fell to 36% among the over-50s.
Let's change that...☀️
Overall 50% of journalist respondents were women but this fell to 36% among the over-50s.
Let's change that...☀️
Survey: UK journalists are getting older, more left-wing and increasingly freelance
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
UK journalists are getting older, more left-wing and increasingly freelance
New survey reveals journalist salaries, age, gender and ethnicity make-up, answering question: "who are UK journalists in 2025?"
pressgazette.co.uk
April 24, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Women over 50 were 'markedly underrepresented' in journalism.
Overall 50% of journalist respondents were women but this fell to 36% among the over-50s.
Let's change that...☀️
Overall 50% of journalist respondents were women but this fell to 36% among the over-50s.
Let's change that...☀️
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
We've won! Faster than I would have imagined possible. In response to the threat of court proceedings issued by @fightingdirty.bsky.social, the Environment Agency has promised to review its policy on waste tyres shipped to India. With big thanks to our supporters.
fightingdirty.org/major-victor...
fightingdirty.org/major-victor...
News | Fighting Dirty
fightingdirty.org
March 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
We've won! Faster than I would have imagined possible. In response to the threat of court proceedings issued by @fightingdirty.bsky.social, the Environment Agency has promised to review its policy on waste tyres shipped to India. With big thanks to our supporters.
fightingdirty.org/major-victor...
fightingdirty.org/major-victor...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
The Carbon Offset Trap: BBC File on 4 has taken an in-depth look at the current state of carbon markets.
Our reporter @lukewbarratt.bsky.social spoke to them about some of their findings.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Our reporter @lukewbarratt.bsky.social spoke to them about some of their findings.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - File on 4 Investigates, The Carbon Offset Trap
Max de Haldevang investigates problems with carbon offset projects.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 4, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The Carbon Offset Trap: BBC File on 4 has taken an in-depth look at the current state of carbon markets.
Our reporter @lukewbarratt.bsky.social spoke to them about some of their findings.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Our reporter @lukewbarratt.bsky.social spoke to them about some of their findings.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
"The Environment Agency is undertaking an internal review of its approach to waste tyre shipments to India."
Two days after our report with @bbcradio4.bsky.social on UK tyres being dangerously 'boiled' in India, the UK announces a review of the trade.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Two days after our report with @bbcradio4.bsky.social on UK tyres being dangerously 'boiled' in India, the UK announces a review of the trade.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Burning Rubber – SourceMaterial
Millions of used UK tyres are being shipped to India to make dirty fuel harming people and the environment
www.source-material.org
March 27, 2025 at 8:13 PM
"The Environment Agency is undertaking an internal review of its approach to waste tyre shipments to India."
Two days after our report with @bbcradio4.bsky.social on UK tyres being dangerously 'boiled' in India, the UK announces a review of the trade.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Two days after our report with @bbcradio4.bsky.social on UK tyres being dangerously 'boiled' in India, the UK announces a review of the trade.
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Ever heard of a 'pyrolysis' plant? It's almost certainly where your car tyres will end up, sent by UK exporters to be 'boiled' into a toxic oil.
The same plants are killing people. I've seen footage of kids, who lived on site, covered in burns. Read on:
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
The same plants are killing people. I've seen footage of kids, who lived on site, covered in burns. Read on:
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
Burning Rubber – SourceMaterial
Millions of used UK tyres are being shipped to India to make dirty fuel harming people and the environment
www.source-material.org
March 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Ever heard of a 'pyrolysis' plant? It's almost certainly where your car tyres will end up, sent by UK exporters to be 'boiled' into a toxic oil.
The same plants are killing people. I've seen footage of kids, who lived on site, covered in burns. Read on:
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
The same plants are killing people. I've seen footage of kids, who lived on site, covered in burns. Read on:
www.source-material.org/waste-tyre-p...
It feels when you watch a @mrjamesgraham.bsky.social script like the deepest love song to Britain, an old marriage that can hurt, and which could do with collective therapy--forgiveness and bravery towards one another amidst deep anger of the kind James' mum shows Jacob.
James Graham is a genius. His latest play at the Young Vic may be his best yet. In tears at the end. Theme is restorative justice and a pleasure to meet Jacob, pic 2, the real person whose killing of another man with a single punch is the basis of the story. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
March 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
It feels when you watch a @mrjamesgraham.bsky.social script like the deepest love song to Britain, an old marriage that can hurt, and which could do with collective therapy--forgiveness and bravery towards one another amidst deep anger of the kind James' mum shows Jacob.
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
“Taxpayers will rightly want to know why the SEND budget is lining the pockets of private equity firms”
Private equity-owned special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131k p.a. have failed Ofsted checks
@rosafurneaux.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/private-spec...
Private equity-owned special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131k p.a. have failed Ofsted checks
@rosafurneaux.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/private-spec...
£100k fees, but special private schools fail standards check
The Labour government plans new powers to intervene more quickly when private schools fail. Schools Week investigates
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“Taxpayers will rightly want to know why the SEND budget is lining the pockets of private equity firms”
Private equity-owned special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131k p.a. have failed Ofsted checks
@rosafurneaux.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/private-spec...
Private equity-owned special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131k p.a. have failed Ofsted checks
@rosafurneaux.bsky.social @schoolsweek.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/private-spec...
Politicians are calling on other EU countries to stop exporting toxic gasoline to West Africa, following our story.
The joint investigation showed Belgian and Dutch export bans risk being ineffective without a wider ban.
(support @journalismfund.bsky.social)
nos.nl/artikel/2556...
The joint investigation showed Belgian and Dutch export bans risk being ineffective without a wider ban.
(support @journalismfund.bsky.social)
nos.nl/artikel/2556...
Benelux: stop met de export van vuile benzine naar West-Afrika
Goedkope brandstof die te slecht is voor Europeanen, wordt gedumpt in West-Afrika.
nos.nl
February 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Politicians are calling on other EU countries to stop exporting toxic gasoline to West Africa, following our story.
The joint investigation showed Belgian and Dutch export bans risk being ineffective without a wider ban.
(support @journalismfund.bsky.social)
nos.nl/artikel/2556...
The joint investigation showed Belgian and Dutch export bans risk being ineffective without a wider ban.
(support @journalismfund.bsky.social)
nos.nl/artikel/2556...
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
❗ Exclusive: Private equity-owned independent special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131,000 a year are among hundreds that have failed Ofsted standards checks
Full story ⬇️
https://buff.ly/41g3uEq
Full story ⬇️
https://buff.ly/41g3uEq
£100k fees, but special private schools fail standards check
The Labour government plans new powers to intervene more quickly when private schools fail. Schools Week investigates
buff.ly
February 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
❗ Exclusive: Private equity-owned independent special schools which charge councils fees of up to £131,000 a year are among hundreds that have failed Ofsted standards checks
Full story ⬇️
https://buff.ly/41g3uEq
Full story ⬇️
https://buff.ly/41g3uEq
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
🧵Twice a day, sirens sound in the shadow of Touk Meas Mountain in Kampot province, Cambodia.
"We're often coughing," said Pheara, who lives nearby.
Here, a cement kiln producing hazardous emissions is supposedly at the heart of the global fight against plastic pollution.
"We're often coughing," said Pheara, who lives nearby.
Here, a cement kiln producing hazardous emissions is supposedly at the heart of the global fight against plastic pollution.
February 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
🧵Twice a day, sirens sound in the shadow of Touk Meas Mountain in Kampot province, Cambodia.
"We're often coughing," said Pheara, who lives nearby.
Here, a cement kiln producing hazardous emissions is supposedly at the heart of the global fight against plastic pollution.
"We're often coughing," said Pheara, who lives nearby.
Here, a cement kiln producing hazardous emissions is supposedly at the heart of the global fight against plastic pollution.
Reposted by Jess Staufenberg
Great to see @luciemheath.bsky.social nominated for environment journalist of the year at the Press Awards! Congratulations, well-deserved www.thepressawards.com/finalists/lu...
Lucie Heath
www.thepressawards.com
February 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Great to see @luciemheath.bsky.social nominated for environment journalist of the year at the Press Awards! Congratulations, well-deserved www.thepressawards.com/finalists/lu...