You are part of something bigger.
A neighborhood, a community, a county, a state, a country. All of these places are made stronger when we engage with each other in conversation and participate in local decision-making. But where and how to start? Introducing Public Matters.
Latest on Public Matters
Over 1,100 people want to move into this 94-unit National City complex
The southern San Diego County homes will be available for low-income residents and veterans who’ve experienced homelessness.
Imperial Beach may join growing trend of more e-bike rules
The southern San Diego city may impose more rules, but officials signaled early opposition to using California law that allows them to impose an age limit on e-bikes.
New National City rules meant to prevent crime could force a race for vacation rental permits
A new National City rule meant to prevent crime will also force operators of short-term rentals to compete for permits.
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In Whose Backyard is a project of Public Matters, a collaboration between inewsource, KPBS and Voice of San Diego. These stories look at where homes are being built across San Diego County, what kinds of homes are popping up and how those trends impact the surrounding communities.
Explore the reporting
In whose backyard? Where homes are being built in San Diego
The coastal San Diego cities haven’t permitted a single unit of affordable housing for six years.
In San Diego, rents rise slower where more homes are permitted
ZIP codes in San Diego County with more new home permits saw slower rent growth than ZIP codes with less.
El Cajon lags behind rest of cities in homebuilding per capita
The city has permitted less than 10 new homes per thousand residents – fewer than any other in San Diego County.
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About Public Matters
inewsource discusses the San Diego Documenters on KPBS
On KPBS’ Evening Edition, our team talked about how the Documenters program empowers San Diegans to be civically engaged and drives local news.
Public Matters initiative aims to increase civic engagement
A new reporting initiative from KPBS, inewsource and Voice of San Diego aims to expand the culture of civic engagement in the San Diego region.
San Diego Documenters
San Diego Documenters is putting the “public” back in public meetings. We train, incentivize and pay San Diegans to document community meetings and local government. Anyone can become a documenter by signing up and attending a documenter workshop.
Politifest
This year’s sessions will focus on the question: Can our government — state, local and federal — meet the moment? Discussions and debates will address the upcoming elections and ballot measures, as well as several key topics San Diego is tackling, such as housing and homelessness and regional preparedness for climate emergencies.
Partnerships
Public Matters is an initiative of inewsource, KPBS and Voice of San Diego.
These three independent, non-profit journalism organizations are sharing content, conversation, and events that ensure all San Diegans understand their opportunity to participate in the democratic process and that it means more than voting in an election.
At its core, it is about reminding us that we have a shared humanity, and together we are empowered to make positive change.
Public Matters will lead up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
FAQ
What is Public Matters?
Public Matters is a joint initiative of inewsource, KPBS and Voice of San Diego to provide content, conversation, and events ensuring all San Diegans understand their opportunity to participate in local decision-making and that we are made stronger when we engage with each other in conversation. Public Matters is generously funded by Irwin and Joan Jacobs.
Why is this important?
Research shows a decrease in trust in our systems of government and a growing lack of civil dialogue. The Public Matters initiative strives to expand the culture of civic engagement in our community through increased public conversation and increased coverage of issues that matter to our region, specifically within communities that are often left on the fringes of political power.
How will you ensure stories and events represent multiple viewpoints?
We are putting a lot of intentionality and effort into building relationships with organizations and leaders on both sides of the political aisle and the diverse sides of local issues who can help connect us with sources for news stories and with whom we can partner on community events.
Who are the Public Matters partners?
Public Matters is a joint initiative of inewsource, KPBS and Voice of San Diego.
How do I get involved?
We are seeking partnerships with community organizations that will help us bring these conversations into communities on both sides of the political aisle, and in a wide-range of lived experiences such as race, LGBTQ, rural and urban, areas of affluence and areas of poverty, and communities where English is not the first language.
How do I become a Documenter?
Go to https://inewsource.org/documenters/ and follow the steps to join and attend a training.
How might my organization get involved with Public Matters?
Contact Heather Milne Barger at hmilne@kpbs.org.
