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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UC San Diego researchers discovered that when people learn details about investment returns by members of Congress, their trust is reduced and so is their inclination to abide by the law. -
KPBS spoke with Corey Gustafson and Kyle Krahel-Frolander of the San Diego Republican and Democratic parties respectively to get their take on President Trump’s first four months in office. -
Two UC San Diego researchers found evidence that birth rates climbed eight years ago during Trump’s first term. -
San Diegan Allan Hoving is trying to build consensus by launching an online unity-building platform called The Big Middle. -
KPBS reports on the impact so far of President Trump’s policies rooted in Project 2025 on major sectors in San Diego: education, criminal justice, science and libraries. -
Tariffs are particularly tough on small business owners, and that describes almost all businesses in San Diego.
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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.
- San Diego Navy doctor fired after right-wing activists find pronouns on social media
- San Diego university students react to Charlie Kirk’s assassination
- Avocado growers in San Diego County face multiple challenges
- CBS shifts to appease the right under new owner
- California lawmakers pass bill banning authorities from wearing facial coverings