Channel 4 has published the findings of an investigation it commissioned with law firm RPC into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of freelance producer, John Balson.
John Balson was a True Crime TV producer who took his own life in May last year after telling family and healthcare professionals of the workplace related stress he had been under.
Balson had been working Alaska TV’s Channel 4 series, In The Footsteps of Killers, at the time.
The Channel 4 statement says:
Channel 4 was shocked and saddened by John Balson’s tragic death, and in June instructed the external law firm, RPC, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding it. RPC reviewed Alaska TV’s (Alaska) and Channel 4’s exercise of their respective duties of care towards John Balson and sought to identify any lessons that could be learnt. The channel has also reviewed its own measures for supporting freelancers.
Channel 4 has remained in close contact with John’s family since then. It has been offering ongoing practical support and has met with them to share the findings of the RPC investigation. The channel will continue to work with John’s family on plans to mark John’s life and career.
Today, Channel 4 is sharing RPC’s key findings and recommendations, alongside further initiatives by the channel, which go beyond the investigation’s recommendations and reflect a firm commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive working environment for all.
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 – RPC’s investigation concluded that both Alaska and Channel 4 discharged their respective duties of care reasonably and appropriately based on the information available to them at each relevant point in time.
The investigation team also commented on how the profound tragedy of John’s death has deeply affected all those spoken to during the investigation. While the investigation team noted that nothing can alleviate the sadness of John’s death, it made several recommendations to further enhance duty of care and support for production staff going forward:
- Production companies should ensure timely compilation and circulation of mental health resources; 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
- Channel 4 should consider incorporating further guidance on producer wellbeing into its 4Compliance hub; and continue to engage with industry bodies, including the Film & TV Charity and BECTU, regarding producer working conditions and the creation of guidance and support resources for production companies.
Channel 4 takes very seriously the welfare of the freelance community and has taken forward all recommendations from RPC. The channel has also agreed with Alaska that it will implement all the investigation’s recommendations.
Channel 4 is also initiating further measures that go beyond the investigation’s recommendations. These include:
- Conducting regular anonymous surveys in collaboration with the Talent Trust across a representative sample of Channel 4 commissioned productions to better understand freelancers’ perspectives on their working conditions on productions
- Communicating, via the programme commissioner, Channel 4’s new Code of Behaviours for Suppliers at the start of every production, with explicit care for staff and overwork emphasised
- Introducing formalised mid-production discussions with all production companies to support them in addressing production staff wellbeing
- Asking production companies to assess the nature and subject matter of a production and offer appropriately tailored support to their teams. For example, offering enhanced psychological support and wellness resources to those working with disturbing content.
- Channel 4 will consider additional budgetary provision, where necessary, to ensure the specific needs of production staff are properly supported.
Ian Katz, Chief Creative Officer, Channel 4 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.
“We fully acknowledge these concerns and 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.”
Head of Film and TV union, Bectu, Philippa Childs, responded to the Channel 4 announcement, saying: “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.”
Jon Creamer
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