A social media news release (SMNR) or social media press release (SMPR) is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the social media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, it is hosted online or e-mailed to bloggers and citizen journalists at blogs, social network services, podcasts, video blogs, and/or discussion forums. Social media distribution services are also used to distribute news releases. Sometimes social media news releases are sent for the purpose of announcing news conferences.

A social media news release is different from a news article. A news article is a compilation of facts developed by journalists published in the news media, whereas a social media news release is designed to be sent to bloggers and citizen journalists in order to encourage them to develop articles on the subject. A social media press release is generally biased towards the objectives of the author.

The use of social media news releases is common in the field of public relations, the aim of which is to attract favorable media attention to the PR firm's client, and publicity, the aim of which is to attract favorable media attention for products marketed by the clients.