According to UNESCO's website, "The Communication and Information Sector (CI) was established in its present form in 1990. Its programmes are rooted in UNESCO’s Constitution, which requires the Organization to promote the 'free flow of ideas by word and image.' Besides its staff at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the CI Sector is represented in 27 UNESCO field offices."

The UNESCO website notes: "The three principal strategic objectives of the Sector’s programmes are:

• Promoting the free flow of ideas and universal access to information
• Promoting the expression of pluralism and cultural diversity in the media and world information networks
• Promoting access for all to ICTs

In addition to the Regular Programme, the CI Sector implements various inter-regional, regional and national projects with extra-budgetary funding mainly in Africa, the Arab States, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Sector collaborates with UN agencies, bilateral development agencies, international and regional non-governmental agencies."