Guide to Communicating Farm Safety for Editors, Illustrators, Cinematographers and Photographers Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. It is crucial that those responsible for mass media messages contribute positively to farm safety. Convey safe farm practices not just with words, but with visual accuracy.
Visual errors can actually negate the verbal message.
These errors can cause irate letters to editors, resulting in embarrassing apologies to the public and costly retractions. Even worse, they reinforce unsafe farming practices. But be careful what your pictures are portraying while the words are being read or spoken. The following guidelines give editors, illustrators, cinematographers and photographers a list of positive safety steps to safeguard against communicating wrong farm safety messages. Children handling and feeding newborn or small animals is a sure way to catch the public's attention.