Hundreds of journalists have arrived 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 - podcasting, video-casting, 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.

"In the corporate world that sees news merely as a commodity this is not happening. The demands of integration and convergence have meant a growth in 24/7 working, but no growth in staffing levels.

"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.

"As we have argued from the very start, whatever the technology it's the quality of the content that counts," Mr Dear said.

"With employers are using that new technology, not to enhance journalism and build quality but simply to reduce costs, undermine collective bargaining and boost profits, the NUJ's campaign for quality journalism is ever more vital.

"In the brave new media landscape we will be fighting for good terms and conditions and the professional standing of journalists."