In 1989, after the end of the Cold War, UNESCO further strengthened its commitments to freedom of the press. To this end, UNESCO organized in all regions of the world a series of seminars on freedom of the press, independent and pluralistic media which led to the adoption of key reference texts. These texts were subsequently endorsed by all the Member States.

Chief among other UNESCO activities in this field: the proclamation in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly of a World Press Freedom Day to be celebrated on May 3; the establishment of an advisory group on press freedom including media professionals from all parts of the world; the establishment in 1997 of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.