When citing articles from online news platforms, how should the publication date be indicated?

When citing online news articles, always include the publication date; it is essential for locating the source and establishing its timeliness. Place the date directly after the author’s name or the article title within the reference entry. The specific format (Year, Month Day or Day Month Year) depends on the citation style required (e.g., APA uses Year, Month Day: Smith, J. (2023, October 27)). Locate the exact publication date, typically found near the article title or byline on the news site; avoid using copyright dates from the website footer. If a retrieval date is also required (common for undated sources or non-archival material), include it at the end of the URL field using the format "Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL". Ensure consistency with your chosen style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago) throughout. To implement this, first identify the publication date directly associated with the specific article instance you accessed. Include it immediately after the author or title in your citation list entry, formatted according to your required style guide. If no specific publication date can be found after diligent search (a rare occurrence for reputable news platforms), use the retrieval date following the URL, clearly labeling it as "Retrieved" to indicate the access date instead. Consistently accurate dating allows readers to verify the source and assess its relevance.