Bylines

A byline is a line in a newspaper, magazine, or online article that names the author and often indicates the author's role or affiliation. Bylines attribute responsibility for the content and inform readers about who wrote the piece.

The term derives from printing practice and has been used since the 19th century as a formal attribution. Today bylines are standard in journalism, though some outlets publish pieces without a byline, or with an anonymous or pseudonymous attribution in rare cases.

Bylines take different forms. Common formats include "By Jane Doe," "Written by Jane Doe," or "Reporting by Jane Doe." In magazines, bylines may also list the writer's beat, position, or contributor status; online editions often include time stamps and links to the author profile.

The byline is distinct from a caption or a photo credit. A photo credit indicates who took the photograph, while the byline identifies the writer of the text. Some pieces have multiple bylines when several authors contributed or when staff writers share authorship.

Ethical considerations include accurate attribution and avoiding misrepresentation of authorship. In some cases, misattribution can raise professional or legal concerns; editors may adjust bylines to reflect contributions accurately or to comply with outlet policies on attribution.