Channel 4 & Alaska TV 'Discharged Duty Of Care' To John Balson Before Producer Took His Own Life
Editor's note: this article includes mention of suicide and other topics that some readers may find upsetting.
Channel 4 and production company Alaska TV 'discharged their respective duties of care' before producer John Balson took his own life, an independent review has concluded.
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Balson, a true crime TV producer, died by suicide last May shortly after working with Alaska on Channel 4 series In The Footsteps of Killers. In the final few weeks of his life, he raised concerns about 'work-related stress' to family members and health professionals.
Channel 4 engaged Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) to conduct a review last summer and the law firm has now delivered its findings. Channel 4 stopped short of publishing the report, citing privacy concerns. The UK broadcaster has instead shared a summary of RPC's findings with the media.
The summary declared that Channel 4 and Alaska responded 'reasonably and appropriately' to the information available to them in the period before Balson's death, but the press notice did not address specific issues raised by Balson's family. The family has been contacted for comment.
According to his wife, Yumeno Niimura, Balson felt he was blamed by the In The Footsteps of Killers production for a family declining to take part in the show. Balson also alleged that he received threats from someone associated with a person he was researching.
Furthermore, Niimura said the producer was exhausted, leading to intense physical symptoms associated with vestibular migraine disorder, and a deterioration in his mental health. Niimura told us Balson's death was a 'failure of the industry.' She said Balson had told her that small production companies have 'unrealistically low budgets,' and 'often force extra work and unrealistic assignments on freelancers.'
It is not clear if Channel 4 made RPC's full findings available to Balson's family, but details were shared during a meeting. Balson's family has been clear about wanting an open discussion about the circumstances of his death and potential industry failings.
RPC reached its conclusions 'after a thorough examination – including interviews with relevant individuals, the review of a substantial volume of emails, WhatsApp and text messages, and the analysis of key documentation relating to the production and provided by John Balson's family,' according to Channel 4's summary. 'The investigation team also commented on how the profound tragedy of John's death has deeply affected all those spoken to during the investigation,' it added.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said In The Footsteps Of Killers will now air over the summer. Now into its third season, the show sees hosts Emilia Fox and David Wilson investigate famous cold cases.
Channel 4 said it has taken on all of RPC's recommendations, which are that 'production companies should ensure timely compilation and circulation of mental health resources,' should 'consider additional ways to encourage dialogue and transparency regarding mental health matters,' 'consider adopting additional monitoring and oversight of freelancer working hours' and 'consider introducing a documented Flexible Working Policy.'
The recommendations suggest that, had these policies been in place prior to Balson's death, it could have improved his working conditions.
'Additional budgetary provision'
Furthermore, Channel 4 said it will bring in extra welfare measures that will include a new Code of Behaviours for Suppliers, which the spokeswoman said was being drawn up prior to Balson's death. Indies will also be asked to assess the nature and subject matter of a production. If concerning, Channel 4 will offer psychological support and resources.
'Channel 4 will consider additional budgetary provision, where necessary, to ensure the specific needs of production staff are properly supported,' said the statement. Content boss Ian Katz said at last summer's Edinburgh TV Festival that the channel was mulling how it could roll out the protections it has introduced for journalists reporting on the Israel-Gaza conflict to the true crime genre.
Channel 4 will also 'introduce formalised mid-production discussions with all production companies to support them in addressing production staff wellbeing,' added the press notice, along with conducting regular anonymous surveys.
Katz said today that the tragedy has 'made it clear that more must be done to better support freelancers in the industry and we need a more robust picture of the demands being made of them.'
'John's case has highlighted the pressures that freelancers can face in our industry and their fear of losing out on future work if they speak openly about their working conditions,' he added. 'In particular, we want to make it easier for them to speak frankly about their working conditions and the demands being made of them. And we welcome an ongoing conversation about how best we can continue to support them in the future. We share and support the ambition of John Balson's family that positive change can be made as a result of John's death, and we will continue to work – independently and with industry partners through initiatives such as [new body] Action for Freelancers – on approaches to help make this happen.'
An inquest into Balson's death last month found that he had told numerous health professionals he was having suicidal thoughts and flagged 'work-related stress' on several occasions to them in the weeks leading up to his death. At the time, Balson's family said they 'felt let down by the system.'
In a statement, Philippa Childs, head of the Bectu union, said: 'John Balson's death is a profound tragedy, and we know today's announcement from Channel 4 will make for very difficult reading for his family, friends and many across the industry.
'No one should have to suffer in silence and we welcome Channel 4's commitment to taking practical steps to encourage people to talk more openly about worker mental health. RPC's recommendations to production companies and Channel 4 regarding better monitoring freelancers' working hours, improving mental health support, and engaging with bodies like Bectu on working conditions, will all be critical to ensuring that the review's findings result in real and sustained change.
'The physical and mental health risks of many elements of working in film and TV, including long hours, tight production schedules and exposure to distressing material, are well documented. We will be holding Channel 4 and the wider industry to account on meaningful and continued engagement on these and other factors that impact freelancers' wellbeing.
'This is critical to uphold both the wishes of John and of his family that positive change come from his tragic death, and to truly drive progress in creating a healthier industry for everyone who works in it.'
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