The sociologist’s interaction with his subjects forms a part of, and takes place in the context of, the overall interaction between those subjects and the wider society. He may be seen as a potential...

The sociologist’s interaction with his subjects forms a part of, and takes place in the context of, the overall interaction between those subjects and the wider society. He may be seen as a potential legitimator or defender of their public image or a threat to it. Those groups which are, or have been, in conflict with agencies of the wider society are likely to view a potential threat to their public image with hostility . . . The sociologist who undertakes to study the social structure and dynamics of powerful groups . . . must expect his revelations to be met with hostility and the mobilisation of strategies to censor or even prohibit his work . . . While in the past sociologists have . . . displayed concern over the dangers of harming the interests of the powerless groups they have chosen to study, they should not altogether forget the problems of the relatively powerless sociologist faced with the threat of censorship.