(NO) TRIAL (BUT) TRIBULATIONS - WHEN COURTS AND ETHNOGRAPHY CONFLICT

The author, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology, recently was jailed for 159 days after refusing to reveal the content of confidential research interviews to a federal grand jury that was investigating vandalism by an animal rights group. The case makes clear that social science researchers who gather original data, in general, and ethnographers, in particular, have little legal protection against compelled testimony or seizure of their data. For their own good and that of their subjects, it is incumbent on researchers to be aware of this and to prepare themselves for the worst case, jail, if they pursue risky research. It appears that the only feasible long-term approach for researchers to take is to seek congressional legislation affirming the freedom of the press, including academic freedom.