What information do I need to cite a press release in APA?

Include the organization name, publication date, press release title, and the URL. If available, include the specific author of the press release.

Should I cite press releases from company websites or news outlets?

Cite the press release from its original source. If published by a company, cite the company website; if republished by news outlets, you can cite either source depending on your needs.

How do I format a press release without an author name?

Use the organization issuing the press release as the author. Format: Organization Name. (Year). Press release title. Retrieved from URL

How to Cite a Press Release in APA Format

Understanding Press Release Citations in APA

Press releases are official statements issued by organizations, companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. They serve as primary sources for breaking news, announcements, and organizational information. Properly citing press releases in APA format demonstrates that you’ve consulted primary source material and gives credit to the issuing organization.

Basic Press Release Citation Format

The standard APA format for press releases follows this pattern: Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Press release title. Retrieved from URL

Press releases are typically treated as corporate documents without individual authors, though some may list a specific author or contact person.

Format for Press Releases with Author Names

When a press release lists a specific author:

Author Name. (Year, Month Day). Press release title. Organization Name. Retrieved from URL

Example: Johnson, M. (2024, March 15). XYZ corporation announces new sustainability initiative. XYZ Corporation. Retrieved from https://www.xyzcorp.com/press

Format for Press Releases Without Named Authors

Most press releases are issued as organizational statements:

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Press release title. Retrieved from URL

Example: United Nations. (2024, March 10). UNESCO announces world heritage site designations. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/press-releases

In-Text Citation for Press Releases

Use the standard parenthetical format with the organization name and year: (Organization Name, Year). If no date is available, use n.d.: (Organization Name, n.d.).

For direct quotations, include the paragraph number: (Organization Name, Year, para. 3).

Citing Press Releases from News Archives

When a press release is republished in a news outlet or press release distribution service:

Decide whether to cite the original source or the distribution platform. GenText recommends citing the original source when available to maintain citation accuracy and provide the most authoritative reference.

Press Release from PR Newswire

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Press release title. PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com

Press Release from Company Website

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Press release title. Retrieved from https://company.com/press-releases

Including Specific Details

Press releases often contain important contextual information. When citing a press release, consider including:

The specific location of the organization if relevant
The date in Month Day, Year format (March 15, 2024)
The complete URL for easy retrieval
Any unique identifiers or reference numbers

Examples of Complete Press Release Citations

Government Agency Press Release:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, February 20). EPA announces new clean water standards. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/news

Corporate Press Release:

Apple Inc. (2024, March 12). Apple introduces new sustainability features. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/newsroom

Nonprofit Organization Press Release:

American Red Cross. (2024, March 8). Red Cross launches emergency preparedness campaign. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org/news

Reference List Formatting

In your reference list, arrange press release citations alphabetically by organization name. Apply hanging indent formatting and maintain consistency with other APA citations.

Using GenText for Press Release Citations

GenText simplifies press release citation by organizing organizational information and automatically generating properly formatted APA citations. This ensures consistency and accuracy throughout your research documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect title formatting: Press release titles should be in italics, not quotation marks.
Missing publication date: Always include the complete date (month and day) when available.
Incomplete URLs: Verify that URLs are complete and functional.
Organization name capitalization: Use the official organization name as it appears on the press release.

By following APA guidelines for press releases, you properly document these important source materials and maintain credibility in your academic writing.