Channel 4’s Ian Katz calls for more freelancer support after report into death of producer John Balson

Channel 4 (C4) chief creative officer Ian Katz has admitted that “more must be done to better support freelancers in the industry” after the UK broadcaster reacted to the findings of an independent review into the death by suicide of factual producer John Balson.

Ian Katz

Balson ended his own life last May shortly after working with UK prodco Alaska TV on the C4 true crime series In the Footsteps of Killers.

He had told family members that he had been suffering from exhaustion, work-related stress, mental health problems and painful migraines.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, C4 instructed external law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding it. RPC reviewed the broadcaster and Alaska TV’s exercise of their respective duties of care towards Balson and sought to identify any lessons that could be learned.

That investigation included interviews with relevant individuals, analysis of key documentation relating to the show’s production, emails, texts, WhatsApp messages and information provided by Balson’s family.

C4 has now published the findings of the RPC inquiry, which concluded that “both Alaska and C4 discharged their respective duties of care reasonably and appropriately based on the information available to them at each relevant point in time.”

Commenting on the investigation, Katz said: “John was widely loved and respected, and we are deeply saddened by his untimely death. Our thoughts remain with his family.

“This 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.”

Balson was working as a freelancer for Alaska TV on In the Footsteps of Killers, a true crime show hosted by criminologist Professor David Wilson and actress Emilia Fox (Silent Witness).

During that production period, Balson told family members and health professionals that he felt under pressure at work and was suffering from mental health issues and intense migraines. In an interview with Deadline, the late producer’s wife, Yumeno Niimura, said he felt he had been blamed for a family refusing to take part in the show as contributors.

Niimura said the 40-year-old’s death was a “failure of the industry,” while his family told KentOnline they felt “let down by the system.”

However, despite these claims, the RPC’s findings did not apportion any serious blame to either C4 or Alaska TV, instead making a series of recommendations to enhance duty of care and support for production staff in the future.

These include prodcos ensuring the availability of mental health resources, encouraging more dialogue over mental health matters and closer monitoring of freelancer working hours.

It also recommended that C4 should incorporate further guidance on producer wellbeing into its 4Compliance hub and continue to engage with industry bodies such as the Film & TV Charity and union Bectu regarding producer working conditions.

Following the conclusion of the inquiry, C4 has said it will initiate further measures such as conducting regular anonymous surveys in collaboration with the Talent Trust across a representative sample of C4 commissioned productions to better understand freelancers’ perspectives on their working conditions.

It will also communicate its new Code of Behaviours for Suppliers at the start of every production, backed up by mid-production discussions with prodcos to address staff wellbeing.

Katz said: “Channel 4 is determined to lead the way in supporting and anticipating the mental health and wellbeing needs of those who work within our industry.

“In addition to RPC’s recommendations, we are introducing a series of measures to improve our support for freelancers. 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 Action for Freelancers – on approaches to help make this happen.”

Philippa Childs

Responding to C4’s statements yesterday, head of Bectu Philippa Childs 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 of 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.”