Bylines credit reporters, while datelines establish where stories originate. Both follow specific AP (Associated Press) style conventions that maintain consistency across publications. Proper formatting signals professionalism and provides necessary context for readers. Errors in these basic elements undermine credibility before readers even engage with story content.
What is a Byline in Journalism?
A byline is the line identifying who wrote a story, typically appearing below the headline. The term comes from "by [author's name]." Bylines establish accountability and give credit. Format depends on whether one or multiple reporters contributed, and organizational style preferences.
Byline Formatting Rules
| Situation | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single author | By Name | By Sarah Johnson |
| Two authors | By Name1 and Name2 | By Sarah Johnson and Robert Chen |
| Three+ authors | By Name1, Name2 and Name3 | By Sarah Johnson, Robert Chen and Maria Rodriguez |
| With role identifier | By Name, Role | By Sarah Johnson, Staff Reporter |
| Wire service | By NAME, Service | By SARAH JOHNSON, Associated Press |
Note: AP style uses no serial comma before "and" in byline lists. Some publications capitalize byline names (BY SARAH JOHNSON); others use title case. Pick one style and apply consistently.
What is a Dateline in Journalism?
A dateline identifies where a story was reported from, appearing at the beginning of the article text. Datelines matter most for stories reported from locations other than publication headquarters. Local stories typically omit datelines.
Dateline Format
Standard format: CITY — or CITY, State —
Examples:
- CHICAGO — The mayor announced...
- SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Officials said...
- LONDON — Prime Minister...
Which Cities Stand Alone in Datelines?
AP style designates certain major cities that appear without state or country. These "standalone" cities are well-known enough that additional identification is unnecessary.
US Standalone Cities (No State Required)
| City | Dateline Format |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | ATLANTA — |
| Boston | BOSTON — |
| Chicago | CHICAGO — |
| Dallas | DALLAS — |
| Houston | HOUSTON — |
| Los Angeles | LOS ANGELES — |
| Miami | MIAMI — |
| New York | NEW YORK — |
| Philadelphia | PHILADELPHIA — |
| Washington | WASHINGTON — (D.C. implied) |
International Standalone Cities (No Country Required)
LONDON, PARIS, TOKYO, ROME, BEIJING, MOSCOW, BERLIN, JERUSALEM, HONG KONG, among others.
Cities Requiring State/Country
All other cities require state or country identification:
- PORTLAND, Ore. — (distinguishes from Maine)
- SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — (many Springfields exist)
- MUNICH, Germany —
Note: Use AP state abbreviations (Calif., Ore., Mass.), not postal codes (CA, OR, MA).
How Should Timestamps Be Formatted?
Digital journalism adds timestamp conventions beyond traditional datelines. Publication times, update times, and time-specific references require consistent formatting.
Timestamp Formats
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Publication time | Published [Date], [Time] [Timezone] | Published March 15, 2026, 3:47 PM EST |
| Update time | Updated [Date], [Time] [Timezone] | Updated March 15, 2026, 6:23 PM EST |
| In-story time reference | [Time] local time or [Time] [Timezone] | The crash occurred at 3 pm EST |
For major updates, add editor's notes: "Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the number of injuries reported by officials."
What Special Byline Situations Require Attention?
1. Wire Service Credit:
- Wire story: By REPORTER NAME, Associated Press
- Local + wire: By LOCAL REPORTER, with reporting from Associated Press
2. Sensitive Stories:
Stories involving potential conflicts warrant disclosure: "By Sarah Johnson. Editor's note: Johnson's spouse works for the company discussed in this article."
3. Major Contributions:
Credit distinct contributions: "By Sarah Johnson, with data analysis by Robert Chen and photography by Maria Rodriguez."
Frequently Asked Questions About Bylines and Datelines
When should I omit a dateline?
Omit datelines for local stories. If your publication is based in Seattle and the story occurred in Seattle, no dateline is needed. Datelines signal stories from elsewhere—local stories omit them to avoid redundancy.
Should datelines include dates?
Modern datelines typically omit dates. The historical term "dateline" comes from when newspapers included publication dates in this line. Today, datelines show location only, with publication date handled separately in timestamps.
How do I handle multi-city reporting?
Use primary reporting location in dateline. If a reporter worked from multiple cities, use the location where most reporting occurred. Editor's notes can explain: "Reporting contributed from New York and Washington."
What's the difference between a dateline and a credit line?
Datelines show location; credit lines acknowledge sources. A dateline (CHICAGO —) identifies where reporting happened. A credit line (Photo by John Smith / Reuters) acknowledges content sources like photos or graphics.
Can AI help format bylines and datelines?
Yes, AI tools like River's Byline & Dateline Formatter automatically apply AP style rules. Input your author names and reporting location, and the tool generates correctly formatted bylines and datelines following all AP conventions.
Format bylines consistently using publication style. Include appropriate role identifiers and handle multiple authors clearly. Use datelines for non-local stories, following AP style for standalone cities and state abbreviations. Add timestamps for online publication and clearly mark updates. Use River's formatting tools to ensure consistent AP style across your journalism.