Why Frank Rich links

The Neiman Journalism Lab ponders the question:. :

Why has Rich embraced linking when his peers have not? "CThe theory was: Why not be as transparent as possible by showing sources, when we could?%u201D he told me recently.

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Rich says his linking is as much about backing up his argument as it is about adding background. If oneâs argument is only as good as oneâs facts, Rich sends you to his facts. âNow, sometimes itâs unlinkable material,â he says. âBut why not give the reader, if he or she wants to, the opportunity to see the sources, or a source, when itâs available? It helps bulletproof the column, because if they say âHe must be making that up,â they can look and see â hereâs the source, take a look and judge it for yourselfâ¦.If Iâm citing a figure, at the most banal level, from the Labor Department or a poll or an economic report, [why not] link to the whole document it comes from?â