I have decide to put myself forward for this election because of my commitment to the trades union movement and to the NUJ in particular, and my belief that I could be a valuable, hard-working and loyal part of the development and strengthening of our union.

Having worked on national and regional newspapers, and with experience in broadcasting, I am increasingly concerned about both the current condition and the future of the media industry for those who work within it.

Many changes which are taking place are to the detriment of products we create and to working conditions.

Ownership of regional newspapers, for example, by increasingly large and diverse corporations is leading to a deterioration in product quality and in working conditions and no improvement with regard to rates of pay and other benefits.

Short-term profit generation takes precedence over long-term sustainability, over training, developing and retaining members of staff, over editorial integrity and over product quality. Managing directors and editors come under intense scrutiny to increase profits.

All too often, this is not achieved by seeking out quality staff, training and existing staff or rewarding hard work, loyalty and integrity, nor by seeking to improve the quality of the product.

Rather, it is achieved by implementing ways to cut costs such as early retirements, not replacing members of staff who leave and even by redundancies.

Further cost-cutting exercises being pursued include reducing paid sick leave, the introduction of harsh disciplinary procedures with regard to sick leave, the disappearance of staff motivational rewards, low expenses rates etc.

Increasingly prevalent and blatant is an anti-union stance. The very low starting salaries and low salaries in general are well known, as is the acceptance of a high staff-turnover rate.

I believe it is the union's job to fight these unacceptable aspects of the industry. Increasing union membership is crucial and is achievable if journalists feel the union is well-organised, modern, progressive, influential and exists for their benefit.

Journalists must want to join the union.

I am committed to fighting the negative developments within the industry, promoting the positive aspects of it, and to fighting for workers' rights within journalism.

I believe strongly in maintaining the democratic nature of the union, to rebuilding its collective strength and to the implementation of the strategic review, as approved by ADM, 2003.

I would relish the opportunity to work towards these aims as the union's DGS.

Some members may not be aware that each of the four DGS candidates are able to claim up to £500 towards campaign expenses.

I feel that this is not best use of Union monies and, as such, have requested from the General Secretary that the equivalent money to that claimed by whichever of the other three candidates claims the most, be sent on my behalf to support any colleagues currently engaged in industrial action.