Nobel Laureate in Economics Joseph E. Stiglitz has underscored the need for a clear work strategy, free opinion and freedom from unsolicited interference in journalism to uphold democratic values.

Addressing an international assembly in Vienna, Stiglitz highlighted the crucial role of public interest journalism in sustaining healthy, democratic societies amid the growing challenges of authoritarianism, disinformation, and artificial intelligence.

Speakers at the conference noted that suppression of dissent and obstruction of news publication are incompatible with the principles of a civilised society.

The three-day event, held in the Austrian capital from October 23 to 25, was organised by the International Press Institute, according to a media release.

Representatives from media organisations across 100 countries took part in the discussions.

Shoeb Chowdhury, Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Asian Age from Bangladesh, attended the conference and exchanged views with Stiglitz.

An American economist and professor at Columbia University, Stiglitz serves as the chief economist of the Roosevelt Institute.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2001 and previously served as chief economist of the World Bank. In 2011, Time magazine named him among the 100 most influential people in the world.

The programme featured multiple sessions and seminars addressing key issues including freedom of expression, press freedom, the adverse effects of artificial intelligence, and strategies to combat harassment against journalists.