Amita Sharma
Investigative ReporterAs the public matters investigative reporter, Amita leads KPBS’ coverage on efforts to undermine democracy, including threats to public officials, bolstering the Big Lie, chipping away at voter’s rights, attempts to overturn election results, eroding institutions and weakening the government's capacity to do its job, as well as civic efforts to engage people with opposing views without rancor.
The goal of the position is to report on the stakes, from a San Diego County perspective, on the United States’ current political moment.
She has spent the last two years reporting on local threats to democracy, including regional extremism, the shrinking of local news coverage while the number of hyper partisan “news” websites grow, censorship at libraries and incivility at public meetings.
Her previous coverage includes: exposing abuses in local nursing homes at the height of the pandemic, including a serial rapist who had worked in several El Cajon facilities and was arrested following her reporting; unearthing a contract between the city of Chula Vista and Motorola that allowed the company to sell data collected by the Chula Vista Police Department; and reporting on discrimination and retaliation in the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office that led to court settlements and the retirement of the Public Defender.
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Retired United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor told KPBS Television's "Evening Edition" she can teach students how the U.S. government works in an hour a week using a video game. -
Media Analysts believe it would add value to the U-T San Diego and save money by operating in neighboring markets. -
KPBS Midday EditionA report on San Diego County water rates sounds like dry stuff. But as far as the Metropolitan Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority are concerned, it's the latest salvo in a decades-long feud. -
A new report from the Children's Advocacy Institute and University of San Diego says there is a "culture of secrecy" in states' disclosure laws, which hides information about child abuse deaths and near-deaths. -
KPBS Midday EditionIn an election year when candidates are trying to win the vote, some are "moving to the middle." We look at the movement and ask - is this new? -
The lawsuit says firms who perform SEC outsourced investigations are paid millions by their clients -- the targets of probes -- to investigate whether they broke securities laws.
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County requiring employees of grocery stores and many other retail outlets to wear masks as of midnight Friday. That’s a tall order, says the California Grocers Association.
- County official overseeing animal shelters complained of 'shit dogs,' too few euthanasias in voice message
- 20 free ways to explore San Diego Design Week 2025
- New trash cans are coming to San Diego curbs in October
- Encinitas rescinds vote on ICE emergency, then reaffirms most prior actions
- Kirk shooting videos spread online, even to viewers who didn't want to see them