UNESCO defends and promotes freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism, and the building of inclusive knowledge societies underpinned by universal access to information and the innovative use of digital technologies. 

Through capacity-building, policy advice, international cooperation, monitoring and foresight in the fields of freedom of expression, access to information, and digital transformation, UNESCO will continue to empower key actors with a view to ensuring that fundamental freedoms are guaranteed online and offline, in line with international standards. 

This is all the more relevant to ensure the ethical development and use of emerging technologies, which have a growing impact on all aspects of the world’s societies. Citizens will also be empowered to enjoy these fundamental freedoms through the development of 21st century skills and the fostering of enabling environments for media pluralism and diversity.

Communication and information programme
Media viability case studies provide innovation to strengthen independent news
Insights for fostering gender equality in the digital world
Communication & Information

Promoting free flow of ideas by word and image

Press and media on news conference. Filming an event with a video camera.

Facts and Figures

135
UN Member States

have adopted various Access to Information legal guarantees

8,324
languages

are documented with approximately 7,000 still in use

press-journalist-woman

Our Publications

The effects of AI on the working lives of women
UNESCO/OECD
IDB
2022
UNESCO
0000380861
After the pandemic, building back a stronger media: inspiring initiatives in ensuring media viability
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
0000380807
The International Year of Indigenous Languages: mobilizing the international community to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
0000379771
To recovery and beyond: 2021 UNESCO report on public access to information
UNESCO
2022
Report supported by Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
0000380520