Media outreach is essential to successfully fulfilling the UNICs' core role of communicating information about the work of the United Nations. UNICs are in daily contact with local and national media outlets. UNIC staff produce press releases, brief the media on issues on the United Nations agenda, contribute articles to newspapers and appear on national radio and television programmes. Several Centres produce their own programmes for broadcast by local stations. Journalists rely on UNICs as an authoritative source of information about the United Nations.

UNICs facilitate field visits for journalists who want to cover UN activities in the area. UNICs also arrange for production of materials such as press kits, brochures, posters and background information and disseminate relevant news about the UN to the media by e-mail.

UNICs also manage press accreditation on behalf of United Nations entities for media events, conferences and seminars held in the country and maintain a roster of accredited journalists. They are also responsible for media arrangements for visiting United Nations officials, including the Secretary-General.