How to Correctly Italicize News Sources: Style Guide for Writers and Researchers

Introduction: Why Italicize News Sources?

Formatting the names of news sources correctly is essential for clear, professional communication in writing. Italicization helps readers instantly recognize the source of information, distinguishes publication titles from surrounding text, and ensures compliance with citation standards in academic, journalistic, and business contexts [2] . This guide explains when and how to italicize news source titles using verified rules from major style guides, including practical examples and step-by-step instructions.

Source: learning.cambridgeinternational.org

Major Style Guides: Rules for Italicizing News Sources

MLA Style

In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, the name of the news outlet (the publication or container) is italicized , while the article title is placed in quotation marks. Italicizing the publication name clarifies its role as the container for the cited article [1] .

Example:

Kaplan, Matt. “Melting Ice Reveals Mummified Penguins in Antarctica.”
The New York Times
, 30 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/science/penguins-mummies-antarctica.html.

To apply MLA formatting:

1. Place the article title in quotation marks.
2. Italicize the name of the news source/publication.
3. Include the publication date and a verified URL.

Tip: For a comprehensive explanation of MLA formatting, consult the official MLA Handbook or university writing guides.

APA Style

APA (American Psychological Association) style also requires italicization of the news outlet’s name when citing articles from traditional print publications. However, APA differs slightly for digital sources: the article title is italicized, but the website name (if different from a print publication) remains in plain text [3] . For major newspapers and magazines published online, the publication name should still be italicized.

Example:

Kaplan, M. (2020, September 30). Melting ice reveals mummified penguins in Antarctica.
The New York Times
. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/science/penguins-mummies-antarctica.html

Step-by-step guidance:

1. In your reference list, italicize the name of the news source.
2. Include the full article title, publication date, and verified URL.
3. For digital-only sources, check APA guidelines for specific rules regarding site names versus publication names.

Note: Always confirm requirements in the latest APA Style Manual, as rules may evolve over time.

Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style recommends italicizing the names of publications, including newspapers and magazines, in citations and references. This rule applies to both print and digital formats. However, if a publication name becomes part of a trademarked term or a brand (like “Fortune 500”), the guidance may differ [5] . For standard news source citations, italicization is the norm.

Example:

Kaplan, Matt. “Melting Ice Reveals Mummified Penguins in Antarctica.”
The New York Times
, September 30, 2020.

Implementation steps:

1. Italicize the name of the publication in both footnotes and bibliography.
2. Use quotation marks for article titles.
3. Include all required citation details as per Chicago style.

Tip: Consult the official Chicago Manual of Style for complex cases such as brand names or assimilated terms.

Other Editorial Guidelines

Many editorial style guides for print and digital publications recommend italicizing the names of books, newspapers, magazines, and journals. The University of Edinburgh’s Editorial Style Guide, for instance, confirms that titles of publications should be italicized for print content [4] . This standard ensures consistency and readability across professional documents.

Practical Application: Step-by-Step Formatting Guidance

To format news source titles correctly in your documents:

1. Identify the style guide required for your work (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
2. Consult the official manual or university writing center for up-to-date examples.
3. Italicize the publication name (e.g.,
   The Washington Post
   ).
4. Place article titles in quotation marks if required by the style.
5. Use verified URLs from the actual news site. Confirm the link is functional before including it.
6. Double-check for consistency throughout your document.

If you do not have access to official style manuals, you can search for ‘MLA style news citation,’ ‘APA news source formatting,’ or ‘Chicago newspaper citation’ through credible university websites or writing centers. Many universities offer free, accessible guides and examples.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Uncertainty about style requirements for less common sources or digital-only publications.

Solution: Refer to the latest edition of your style guide. When in doubt, default to italicizing the publication name for clarity. For digital-only sources, consult the APA Style website or similar authoritative resources [3] .

Challenge 2: Including functional, verified URLs in citations.

Solution: Always visit the news site to copy the actual URL of the article. Do not assume the format or create placeholder links. If you cannot verify the link, provide complete publication information and instruct readers to visit the official news outlet’s website and search for the article title.

Source: techcrunch.com

Challenge 3: Formatting for diverse media (broadcast, online-only, syndicated sources).

Solution: For broadcast or online-only sources, check if the outlet is considered a publication per your style guide. If so, italicize its name; if not, follow the guide’s rules for digital media. When uncertain, provide detailed textual guidance and reference the official style guide for clarification.

Alternative Approaches and Additional Recommendations

If your writing does not require strict adherence to a style guide (such as in business communications or marketing materials), you may choose to italicize news source names for clarity and emphasis. This approach helps readers quickly distinguish between commentary and cited information, especially in long-form content or reports [2] .

When collaborating with teams or submitting work to publications, always ask for their preferred formatting standards. Editorial policies may vary. If no guidance is provided, italicizing publication names remains a safe and professional option.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Italicizing news source titles is a widely accepted practice across major style guides and editorial policies. The rules may differ slightly depending on citation style, media type, and context, but the underlying purpose remains the same: to clearly identify the source of information and maintain professional standards in writing.

To ensure accuracy:

• Always refer to the latest edition of the relevant style guide.
• Use verified, accessible URLs for all cited articles.
• Provide step-by-step guidance or alternative search strategies when links cannot be confirmed.
• Consult university writing centers and editorial style guides for additional examples and clarification.

By following these best practices, you can produce polished, credible documents that meet the standards of academia, journalism, and business communication.

References

• [1] University Park Library (2024). Do you italicize titles of news outlets? FAQ.
• [2] Stanford EC2 Hub (2024). News Source Formatting: Learn to Italicize Correctly.
• [3] American Psychological Association (2022). Use of Italics – APA Style.
• [4] University of Edinburgh (2025). Editorial Style Guide: Italics and Capitals.
• [5] Chicago Manual of Style (2025). Italics and Quotation Marks FAQ.