City conference marks 100 years

Apr 13 2007

HUNDREDS of journalists are in Birmingham for their union's centenary conference.

The National Union of Journalists began its 100th annual delegate meeting at the Holiday Inn, with general secretary Jeremy Dear announcing plans for a debate on the pressures journalists now face in the light of ever-changing technology, and the challenges of integrating with new media.

Delegates were due to back the formation of a national commission on the subject, ahead of a one-day conference in London next month.

Mr Dear said: "New technologies bring new opportunities Ð podcasting, videocasting, TV on demand, broadband TV, RSS and the convergence of media platforms are all exciting innovations that bring the news to the audience in dynamic new way.

"But at the same time we need new working practices to cope with new demands. The pressure on our members is approaching breaking point in many places."

The NUJ is planning a campaign to make sure that media workers can fight back against employers' attempts to squeeze more out of staff and freelancers for the same pay and often worse conditions.