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