Family calls for industry change following death of TV producer

The family of a ‘wonderful’ producer and journalist are seeking answers and change within the TV industry following his death at the age of 40.

John Balson – a former Maidenhead Advertiser reporter – was a successful television producer who worked on true crime documentaries for the likes of Netflix, CBS and Channel 4.

But, two months ago, the previously healthy and active father-of-one began to experience extreme and chronic migraines, dizziness and insomnia.

John sought medical advice from a number of professionals to establish the cause, including two spells in A&E, but it was only after seeing a private specialist that he was told he most likely had a type of vestibular migraine disorder.

The family continued to seek medical help, but the condition left him in ‘constant agony’ and unable to work, enjoy hobbies or do basic household tasks.

He took his own life on May 17.

In accordance with his wishes, John’s family have shared his story both in the hope that more can be learned about his condition and its treatment, and to raise awareness of the stresses and workload he was experiencing in his job.

Before he fell ill, John was a freelance producer for Channel 4’s In the Footsteps of Killers, produced by Alaska TV, and said he suffered ‘extreme chronic stress’ while working on the programme.

As first reported in Deadline last week, Channel 4 has instructed an external law firm to ‘undertake a thorough investigation’ following his death.

In a statement, John’s wife, Yumeno Niimura, who is pregnant with their second child, said ‘John’s life is now a legacy’ and his loss represented a ‘failure of the industry’.

She said he faced a ‘massive amount of pressure’ in his role and he was working long hours – dealing with hundreds of documents and sensitive subjects – in addition to a four-hour round commute three days a week.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Yumeno said John faced ‘unrealistic expectations’ and wanted the industry to change, and for there to be more protection for freelancers and contractors.

“A major change needs to be made as a whole industry,” she added.

The family are also unhappy more wasn’t done to diagnose and treat John’s illness, and hope more research will be done into vestibular migraine disorders to improve treatment.

An inquest is not expected to take place for some time.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “Channel 4 was deeply saddened by the news of John’s death, and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this incredibly difficult time.

“John was a highly respected and much-loved professional – both amongst his colleagues at Alaska TV and those who worked with him across the industry – and will be sorely missed.

“We are in ongoing contact with John’s family and offering them our support.

“We are also in a dialogue with BECTU [the creative industry union] and have engaged an external law firm to undertake a thorough investigation, which will be as swift as circumstances allow.

“We will take whatever action is appropriate in response to its findings.

“While we do not employ production staff directly, the wellbeing of all those working on the productions we commission is vitally important and is something we take very seriously.

“We are committed to supporting our production partners in ensuring those productions are safe and professional workplaces, with safeguarding measures in place.

“Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines our commitments and is well communicated to all production companies we work with.”

A spokesperson for Alaska TV said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of John’s passing – an extremely talented and thoughtful director, he will be hugely missed by us all.

“The wellbeing of our all staff is of paramount importance, and whilst we’re unable to comment further given the investigation with Channel 4, our thoughts and love are with John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support John’s wife, their three-year-old daughter and the couple’s unborn child. 

Visit gofund.me/a670daab to view it.

Read a tribute to John Balson here.

If you need someone to talk to, call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org