Newswire is a term used in journalism and public relations for services or systems that distribute news or press release content electronically to media organizations, financial platforms, websites and other information channels.
Historically, the term newswire has also been used in connection with news agencies and wire services. News agencies such as Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse gather and distribute journalism to newspapers, broadcasters and other publishers.
In contemporary public-relations usage, newswire is also used for commercial services that distribute press releases supplied by companies, organizations and other clients. Examples include PR Newswire, Business Wire, GlobeNewswire and EZ Newswire.
News agencies and commercial newswires A news agency gathers and produces news for distribution to newspapers, broadcasters and other publishers. Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse are major international examples.
A commercial newswire primarily distributes press releases and other announcements supplied by companies, organizations, governments and other clients to media outlets, journalists, financial-information services, websites and other audiences.
PR Newswire operates a global press release distribution network that distributes releases to journalists, media websites, search engines and other digital channels.
Business Wire provides press release distribution and regulatory disclosure services to organizations and media audiences.
GlobeNewswire describes itself as a global newswire specializing in press release distribution, financial disclosure and official corporate news.
EZ Newswire operates as a press release distribution service and publishes company and organizational announcements through its distribution network.
The distinction generally reflects the source and function of the content. News agencies produce journalism through their own reporting operations, while commercial newswires primarily distribute announcements supplied by the organizations issuing them.
Distribution Commercial newswires distribute press releases through combinations of media websites, financial-information platforms, journalists, search services, syndication networks and other publishing channels.
Some publishers maintain sections specifically for press releases. Reuters maintains a press release section on Reuters.com, while Fortune maintains a press release section on Fortune.com.
Press releases differ from independently reported news articles because they originate with the organization making the announcement. A press release is an official statement supplied to members of the news media for public dissemination.
Terminology The terms news agency, wire service and newswire have historically overlapped because news agencies originally distributed reports using telegraph and wire transmission networks.
In journalism, wire service and news agency commonly refer to organizations that gather and distribute journalism, such as Reuters and the Associated Press.
In public relations and corporate communications, newswire is also used for services that distribute press releases on behalf of companies and other organizations. PR Newswire, Business Wire and GlobeNewswire all describe their services in terms of newswire or press release distribution.
The meaning of newswire therefore depends on context. In journalism, it may refer to a wire service or news agency. In public relations, it may refer to a commercial press release distribution service.
Examples of commercial newswires
PR Newswire Business Wire GlobeNewswire EZ Newswire
See also
News agency Press release PR Newswire Business Wire GlobeNewswire
References