How to Cite Wire Service Articles
Learn how to create citations for articles from news wire services and press releases.
Basic Format
Wire Service. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Source Publication/Database.
Note: The format may vary depending on how the wire service article was accessed.
Examples with Explanations
Standard Wire Service Article
Associated Press. (2023, September 5). Global economic summit concludes with new agreements. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/xxxxx
- • Use wire service name as author
- • Include full date
- • Add URL if accessed online
- • Use wire service website name if applicable
Wire Service via News Database
Reuters. (2023, August 28). Tech companies announce AI guidelines. Factiva.
- • Include database name instead of URL
- • Omit page numbers
- • Keep original publication date
Press Release
PR Newswire. (2023, July 15). Company X launches new sustainable product line [Press release]. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xxxxx
- • Add [Press release] after title
- • Include wire service name twice if it's both author and publisher
- • Use direct URL to press release
Major Wire Services
News Wire Services
- Associated Press (AP)
- Reuters
- Agence France-Presse (AFP)
- Bloomberg News
Press Release Services
- PR Newswire
- Business Wire
- Globe Newswire
- Market Wire
Special Considerations
Syndicated Articles
Associated Press. (2023, August 25). Climate report findings [Reprinted in The Washington Post]. https://www.washingtonpost.com/xxxxx
Include information about where the wire service article was syndicated.
Multiple Wire Services
Reuters & Associated Press. (2023, September 1). Breaking: Major international development. Global News Service.
List all wire services that contributed to the article.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't cite the newspaper that republished the wire story as the primary source
- Don't omit the wire service name as author
- Don't include reporter names unless specifically credited
- Don't mix database and direct access citation formats
- Don't include wire service internal reference numbers