SLO radio host leaves KVEC after ‘coordinated campaign’ to remove him from air
A San Luis Obispo County radio show host is departing the station he’s broadcast from for three years after he says his critics waged a “coordinated campaign” to remove him from air, including threatening to report him to the Federal Communications Commission.
Clive Pinder has hosted the show “CeaseFire” on KVEC since April 2023, according to a news release.
The goal of the show was originally to host two guests with opposite viewpoints to speak on a topic and debate their differences, Pinder told The Tribune on Wednesday.
But during the time the show was on air, the station was apparently targeted by a “small group of local activists” who threatened to report the station to the FCC over Pinder’s on-air statements, and put social media pressure on KVEC, he said.
Pinder declined to identify the group of people to The Tribune.
This is not the first time Pinder has seen attempts from critics to silence his voice.
He previously wrote a series of satirical columns for the Paso Robles Daily News about former Paso Robles city manager Ty Lewis’ complaint against the city and Councilmember Chris Bausch and the ensuing drama — but the columns were abruptly removed by the news site with no public notice in January 2025.
At the time, Pinder told The Tribune that he was told the station was threatened with legal action by a lawyer representing CalCoastNews reporter Karen Velie, who was among those named by Lewis as leading an effort to remove him from his job.
The columns had also previously been criticized by others named by Lewis.
Pinder defended his columns at the time, saying he adhered to strict ethical standards. He has since started writing a column for The Tribune.
Radio host pivots to podcasting
Now, following his departure from KVEC, Pinder will relaunch his own independent, nonprofit media venture “In Search of Sanity,” founded with partner Mark Wilson.
Pinder characterized the move as “the best gift” that could be given to his critics.
“No more FCC rulebook to wave at us, no more letters to the station manager,” he said in the release. “Just broader, more spontaneous, more honest conversations. And a much quieter inbox for everyone.
“If you build a show on honest conversation, a few people will turn up to be offended on everyone else’s behalf. That’s the gig. We made them famous in their own kitchens for three years. They should be sending us thank-you cards.”
The relaunched “In Search of Sanity” brand will be funded by money earned through a commercial coexistence agreement with C-SPAN, which Pinder was quietly working to execute after the network launched a show under the name “CeaseFire” in 2025, he said.
Through “In Search of Sanity,” Pinder will host podcasts and written work on a Substack, and plans to offer support to other up-and-coming podcasters and media personalities in the area, he told The Tribune.
“Media can do more than generate clicks and amplify conflict,” Pinder said in the release. “It can strengthen understanding, sharpen judgment and create space for people to engage with ideas in more constructive ways.”
New podcast launches with Steve Hilton interview
The first “In Search of Sanity” podcast episode — a conversation between Pinder, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and Tribune editor Joe Tarica — will be available on Friday.
In the release, Pinder thanked KVEC’s station manager Kathy Signorelli for supporting “CeaseFire.”
“Kathy stood behind the show through several attempts to get the show canceled!” he wrote. “That kind of backing is rare in this industry and I won’t forget it.”
The Tribune made multiple attempts to contact Signorelli for more information about the circumstances of Pinder’s departure but did not immediately receive a response.
As of Thursday, mention of the show and most of its archives appeared to have been removed from KVEC’s website, save for the last episode on May 1.
The show’s previous URL now provides only a large 404 error.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
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