That’s the question the Boston Globe is asking about former congressman-turned-talk show host Peter Blute. The paper accuses the WCRN-AM (830) Worcester, Massachusetts talk host of making “profits by selling advertising time on his show, including spots that he sells to political figures who appear as his guests.” According to the Globe, the “arrangement raises questions over the blending of financial and journalistic roles in talk radio. and whether Blute’s roster of guests is influenced by their willingness to purchase advertising.” Michael Harrison, the publisher of Talkers Magazine tells Radio-Info, “It’s unethical if there’s a specific arrangement between the host & politician, and it’s not disclosed to the audience. But that isn’t known as of yet in the Blute case.” Says Harrison, “a smoking gun could be the $2,500 ‘media consulting’ fee found on campaign reports for Jeff Beatty.” Beatty was a regular guest on Blute’s show when he challenged John Kerry for his US Senate seat last year. “The guidepost should be disclosing the information about any arrangements to your listeners,” said Harrison.