Channel 4 has agreed to comply with recommendations to further enhance duty of care and support for production staff following a review commissioned in the wake of the death of freelancer John Balson.
In the review, commissioned by the broadcaster, law firm RPC has concluded that both C4 and production company Alaska fulfilled their duty of care “reasonable and appropriately” towards the freelance producer, who took his own life in May last year.
Balson had stood down from the production of Alaska’s true crime series In the Footsteps of Killers, citing chronic illness brought on by work-related stress.
The review examined materials including interviews with relevant individuals, a substantial volume of emails, WhatsApp and text messages, and the key documentation relating to the production and provided by Balson’s family.
Both C4 and Alaska have agreed to comply with RPC’s 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.
Additionally, C4 will regularly and anonymously survey freelancers working on a representative sample of its commissioned productions on working conditions. It will also:
- Communicate, via the programme commissioner, C4’s Code of Behaviours for Suppliers at the start of every production, emphasising explicit care for staff and overwork
- Introduce formalised mid-production discussions with all production companies to support them in addressing production staff wellbeing
- Ask production companies to assess the nature and subject matter of a production and offer appropriately tailored support to their teams, such as offering enhanced psychological support and wellness resources to those working with disturbing content. C4 will consider additional budgetary provision, where necessary, to ensure the specific needs of production staff are properly supported.
C4 said it has been offering practical support with Balson’s family, meeting with them to share the investigation’s findings and continuing to work with them on plans to mark his life and career.
Katz said the 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 said he wanted to enable freelancers to "speak frankly" about working conditions and the demands placed on them:
“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," said Katz.
“C4 is determined to lead the way in supporting and anticipating the mental health and wellbeing needs of those who work within our industry.
“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.”
