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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When America's system of political asylum works correctly, people who have suffered under repressive regimes can find a safe haven in the U.S. to begin new lives. But when that same system is manipulated, some fear political asylum can be used by dangerous people to enter the U.S. legally. -
Congressman Brian Bilbray says he’ll call for hearings on statements by federal agents, who say some people posing a terror threat are slipping into San Diego’s ports of entry from Mexico disguised as asylum seekers.
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The Somali terror group al-Shabab has made no secret of its desire to recruit operatives from the U.S. In the final installment of a three-part series, KPBS Investigative Reporter Amita Sharma takes a look at the Al-Qaeda-linked group's strategy to attract Americans fighters. It's an effort that's already allegedly claimed one of San Diego's own. -
Federal agents say people who may pose a terror threat are slipping into San Diego from Mexico. In the second of a three-part series, federal agents tell KPBS Investigative Reporter Amita Sharma that some are using political asylum to enter. -
San Diego is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. In the first of a three-part series, KPBS takes a look at how the Somali refugees are rebuilding their lives in San Diego. -
A nationwide series of protests against child prostitution will kick off this week in Sacramento and in San Diego. San Diego is considered a top destination for sexual predators.
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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.
- California bans masks meant to hide law enforcement officers' identities
- Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for reporters at the Pentagon
- Trump nominates White House aide to be top U.S. prosecutor for office probing Letitia James
- Earlybirds Club: for ladies who want to get down and also get to bed on time
- Social media is shattering America's understanding of Charlie Kirk's death