When you reference a news article in academic or professional writing, APA style gives clear rules for citing online and print sources. Following these rules helps readers locate your source quickly and shows that your work is credible.
This guide walks through how to cite a news article in APA format, with practical examples and common scenarios you may encounter.
| Element | Online News Article | Print Newspaper Article | News Website with No Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Last name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Title. Site | Last name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Title. Publication | Use site name only |
| Title formatting | Sentence case for article title | Sentence case for article title | Italicize site name |
| Publication date | YYYY, Month DD | YYYY, Month DD | Use n.d. if unavailable |
| Source location | URL or permalink | Page numbers | Homepage or article URL |
Basics of APA Citation for News Sources
Author Names and Date Format
In APA, list the author surname first, followed by initials. Place the publication year in parentheses, then the month and day. Use a comma after the day before adding the title. This pattern keeps your references precise and consistent.
Italics and Capitalization Rules
Only italicize the name of the news site, not the article title. Use sentence case for the article title, meaning only the first word of the title and subtitle and any proper nouns are capitalized. Following these formatting details reduces distracting corrections in academic work.
How to Cite Online News Articles
Standard Online Format
For online news, include the author, date, article title in sentence case, the italicized site name, and a URL. If the article has no author, start with the site name. Use the direct URL or permalink to help readers access the source without extra searching.
DOI and Permalink Considerations
When a news article has a DOI, prefer it over a regular URL for greater stability. For standard articles without a DOI, a permalink from a database or the news site is acceptable. Always verify that the link leads directly to the article to avoid broken references.
Citing Print Newspaper Articles
Newspaper Page Number Format
For print newspaper articles, list the author, date, article title, italicized newspaper name, and page number. If the article continues on another page, include both page numbers with a plus sign. Accurate page details make it easy for readers to locate the source in physical archives.
Best Practices for Reference Lists
- Double-check each source for completeness—author, date, title, site, and location.
- Alphabetize entries by author surname or by site name if no author exists.
- Verify URLs and DOIs to ensure they lead directly to the cited article.
- Use citation tools to draft references, but always review them for accuracy.
- Follow any additional style guidelines your instructor or publisher provides.
FAQ
Reader questions
How should I format the author name if there are multiple authors for a news article?
List all authors up to twenty in APA format, separating names with commas and using an ampersand before the final name. For works with more than twenty authors, list the first nineteen, add an ellipsis, and include the final author.
What do I do when a news article has no listed author?
Start the reference with the title of the article, using sentence case, and place the italicized news site name first. Include the publication date or use n.d. if no date is available, and finish with the URL or database location.
Are news websites that update stories continuously treated differently in APA?
Treat each version of a news story as a separate reference if you cite a specific version. Include the publication date and, if available, the timestamp or version identifier to clarify which iteration you are referencing.
How should I handle a social media post from a journalist that functions as a news source?
Cite the journalist as the author, include the posting date, the text of the post in plain text format, the platform in italics, and the URL. If the post has no title, provide a brief description in square brackets to clarify the content for readers.