Osama Siblani (R), with professor Matt Waite and Maria Marron, the dean of journalism.

LINCOLN, Nebraska — The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani gave several lectures on diversity in the newsroom and the perception of Arabs and Muslims in the media at the University of Nebraska last week.

Siblani also made TV and radio appearances to discuss the same subjects. The publisher was hosted by the university as a part of the Hearst Speaker Series on Diversity and Modern Media.

“It was rewarding to share my experience on diversity in the media and the newsroom,” Siblani said. “The rise of xenophobia and anti-Arab and Muslim sentiments in the post-9/11 era puts an additional responsibility on the media to be a voice of reason that tells the truth and promotes tolerance, instead of reinforcing stereotypes. That’s what we have been doing at The Arab American News for the past 31 years.”  

The publisher added that students here receptive to his message. 

In one lecture, Siblani told the audience that media outlets must reflect the growing diversity in American society in order to survive.

“If newsrooms don’t diversify now, they’re digging their own graves,” Siblani said. “We don’t need quotas, but we need fair representation.”