pressrelease

A press release, also known as a news release, is a concise, formal document issued by an organization to announce something newsworthy to journalists and media outlets. Its purpose is to provide journalists with a ready-to-use item that can be reported with minimal editing, thereby generating earned media attention. Press releases are used for product launches, corporate news, financial results, events, personnel changes, and crisis communications.

Typical content includes a headline, a dateline, a lead paragraph answering the five questions (who, what, when, where, why), and subsequent paragraphs with details, quotes from company spokespeople, and background information. The document usually ends with a boilerplate about the organization and contact information for a media representative.

Press releases are distributed via wire services, directly to journalists, posted in corporate newsrooms, and shared on social media. They may be issued under embargo or on an announced date and time. The writing follows the inverted pyramid style, prioritizing the most important information at the top.

Ethical considerations include accuracy, verifiability, and avoidance of misleading claims or exaggeration. Journalistic standards require attribution of quotes and facts. Common types include general news releases, product announcements, corporate updates, financial results, event invitations, and crisis communications. While widely used to prompt coverage, press releases remain one input among others, and journalists often verify information independently.