The NUJ is planning a shake-up of its internal structures to reflect changes in the industry.

In the 1970s the NUJ changed its organisational structure to have councils for newspapers and agencies, magazines and books, broadcasting, freelancers and public relations officers.

Now, the union believes this may have to change to meet the needs of 21st century because of converging media technology.

A modern-day newspaper journalist could find themselves taking shorthand notes in a court case before going outside and producing audio and video reports alongside traditional written copy.

The idea is contained in a new interim report called Structuring the Future, written in response to motions passed at last year's annual delegate meeting.

It contains suggestion from union chapels, committees and members across the country.

It said: "The media industry is now – to all extents and purposes – working across the sectors which the NUJ identified in the 1970s and also across the geographical boundaries which existed before that."

Adam Christie, a member of the NUJ's development committee, is leading a party carrying out the restructuring work.

He said: "We had some very radical, but positive, suggestions about how the union could further evolve to meet the very different and challenging conditions of the 21st century.

"Now, we're asking for those councils, committees, branches, chapels and individual members to look at all the suggestions that we received so we can start drafting motions for ADM 2009.

"Development committee members are keen that as many people as possible think about these changes, so those on the working party are available to go to branch and chapel meetings to discuss the ideas with individual union members."

NUJ members can submit ideas for restructuring the union until September 5 by e-mailing structure@nuj.org.uk.

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