How to Cite a Press Release in APA Format

Citing a press release in APA format requires the organization name, date, press release title, and URL. Press releases are official statements issued by organizations, companies, or government agencies.

Basic Press Release Citation Format

The standard APA 7th edition format for a press release citation is:

Reference list entry:

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Title of press release [Press release]. https://www.example.com/press-release

Parenthetical in-text citation: (Organization Name, Year)

Narrative in-text citation: Organization Name (Year)

In-Text Citation Examples

When you reference a press release within your paper, you have two options:

• Parenthetical: The company announced a merger with its largest competitor (Apple Inc., 2024).
• Narrative: Apple Inc. (2024) announced a merger with its largest competitor.

Common Variations

Corporate Press Release

Microsoft. (2024, January 18). Microsoft announces expansion of AI research division [Press release]. https://news.microsoft.com/2024/01/18/ai-expansion

Government Press Release

U.S. Department of Justice. (2023, November 5). Department of Justice files antitrust lawsuit [Press release]. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/example

Press Release from a News Wire Service

If the press release was distributed through a wire service (e.g., PR Newswire, Business Wire), list the originating organization as the author and include the wire service URL.

Johnson & Johnson. (2024, February 20). New clinical trial results show promising outcomes [Press release]. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/example

Tips for Citing Press Releases

• Use [Press release] in square brackets after the title to identify the source type.
• Use the organization as the author, not the person who wrote or signed the press release.
• Include the full date (year, month, and day) of the press release.
• Provide the direct URL to the press release, not the organization’s homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are press releases considered reliable academic sources? Press releases are primary sources that represent an organization’s official position. They are useful for documenting announcements and corporate actions but may contain bias.

How do I cite a press release if no date is listed? Use (n.d.) in place of the date if no publication date is available.

Can I cite a press release found in a news article? If you accessed the content through a news article rather than the original press release, cite the news article instead.