About The Fault Line
The Fault Line is an independent journalism project covering the state of California. Our reporting is grounded in lived experience and does not treat communities as a monolith, since decisions made in Sacramento, Silicon Valley, the Central Valley and city halls reverberate across counties. We are based in Los Angeles.
California’s story matters because it is inseparable from America’s future. At a time of overlapping crises — from housing and climate to political polarization — Californians deserve journalism that reflects their realities with care, context and accountability.
The Fault Line exists to ensure those most affected by change are not erased from the narrative. We are committed to reporting on California in all its diversity and to elevating the voices of communities that have historically been underrepresented or overlooked in mainstream media.
We currently publish monthly, typically during the third week of the month, to prioritize depth, accuracy and reporting that endures.
How We Report
- Narrative-driven, human-centered journalism
- Original reporting and interviews
- Historical context that illuminates current debates
- A commitment to accuracy, fairness and clarity
Contributors
The Fault Line collaborates with a small network of contributors who support our reporting through editorial, technical and visual work. Contributors include:
- Nadra Nittle — Award-winning journalist and a 2026 recipient of an Excellence-in-Features Journalism Award from the Society for Features Journalism. She is founder of The Fault Line, where she leads human-centered journalism focused on California. Her work has appeared in a number of outlets, including Vox, The Guardian, The Atlantic, NBC News and the History Channel website.
- Stella Kalinina — Award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, NBC News, High Country News, Bloomberg Businessweek and Le Monde.
- Nancy E. Pérez — Translator and educator based in Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from California State University, Northridge, and is pursuing a master’s degree in Spanish.
- Anthony Nittle — Webmaster and multimedia producer supporting web development, audio and visual production.
Advisory Board
The Fault Line also has a five-member advisory board from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Learn more about them.
Editorial Independence
The Fault Line operates independently and is guided by a commitment to fairness, accuracy, accountability and editorial independence. Editorial decisions are made without influence from advertisers, donors or outside interests.
Funding Transparency
The Fault Line is currently self-funded. As we grow and pursue grants, donations or sponsorships, we will publicly disclose significant funding sources and maintain editorial independence. Financial support will not influence our reporting or editorial decisions.
Corrections
The Fault Line is committed to getting the story right. If you believe a published piece contains an error, please contact us. We will correct it promptly and note the correction when appropriate.