Image a profession formed by historic moments, trusted relationships in New York Metropolis’s media scene, and a curiosity-driven strategy to alter. Via his tv present Positively America, veteran broadcaster Ernie Anastos shares uplifting tales of on a regular basis folks, inspiring viewers throughout generations. On this second chapter of his profession, he displays on the position of influential figures—each private position fashions and media icons like Walter Cronkite—who’ve formed his journey. His want to share optimistic tales extends past tv; he additionally hosts the podcast Positively Ernie: The Podcast.
Anastos is captivated with connecting with youthful generations by his present Positively America. He says, “In my expertise chatting with younger folks at colleges and school campuses, there’s a robust want for hope and religion in excellent news. We have to reward optimistic conduct and acknowledge the great issues taking place in our communities, nation, and world.”
He additionally displays on the evolving position of know-how and social media, recognizing each its advantages and disadvantages. “As a journalist,” he explains, “my profession has been devoted to sharing tales and bearing witness to historical past. Rising up in an easier time, with simply three networks and restricted information, the explosion of media shops within the Data Age has been each thrilling and worrying. The priority is that something will be abused.
He observes, “We have to take duty for the worth of data we share and the way it impacts public opinion and conduct—I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false details, and irresponsible reporting.”
Anastos additionally observes that social media has the potential to attach generations, stating, “I consider it’s all about respect and understanding. Once we open our minds to others’ opinions and concepts with real respect, we’re connecting the dots throughout generations.”
Anastos additionally shared his views on the misuse of know-how, noting that whereas developments in broadcasting know-how profit tv viewers, they need to be used responsibly. He mentioned, “ My complete life as a reporter has been based mostly on sharing tales and being a witness to occasions in historical past. I like what I do. I can profit from a perspective of rising up in a time when issues had been a lot easier. Within the media, we solely had three networks and a restricted quantity of stories reporting. Right this moment, the Data Age has grown far past any expectations that I had. In some ways, I’m enthusiastic about it, in different methods, it worries me. The explanation for that’s as a result of something will be abused. We have to take duty for recognizing the worth of the knowledge we’re disseminating to the general public and the way we’re reporting tales that influence public opinions and conduct. I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false details, and different irresponsible actions.”
Mr. Ernie Anastos understands the significance of making an interesting, shifting, and efficient name to motion that conjures up our readers and viewers to make optimistic adjustments of their communities. Once I requested him, “What do you assume are the important components of a name to motion?” he responded, “A very powerful component is one thing that is sensible. Folks want to acknowledge that any name to motion should be rooted in frequent sense and honesty. That’s normally not exhausting to identify. Once we’re clever and delicate to actual issues, providing options that make sense, we now have a greater probability to create significant change.”
Mr. Anastos has at all times aspired to be a journalist. He shares, “I liked being within the media from the time I used to be 10 years previous. I loved studying newspapers and being a part of a present occasions membership at school. I constructed a bit of radio station in my basement after I was 13 and landed an actual job at an area radio station at 16. I’ve been on the air since, together with throughout my school years and all through my life. I really feel that my mission is to be an envoy of goodwill and to assist enhance folks’s lives. My reward and objective is to function an instrument of optimistic considering. I select to tell, educate, have interaction, and encourage folks by my distinctive position within the media.”
He additionally acknowledges the distinctive alternatives of being a part of New York Metropolis’s media scene—the media capital of the world. He displays, “New York Metropolis is the media capital of the world, representing probably the most various tradition. I’ve been honored to witness historical past in some ways. I like the neighborhoods and the individuals who make this metropolis so distinctive. On this planet of stories, I’ve seen one of the best and worst of human conduct. A number of the diverse tales I’ve lined embrace the COVID pandemic, September eleventh, the demise of John Lennon, Papal visits, the marathon, and different citywide celebrations. I take into account myself lucky to have been on the air for thus a few years. Once I stroll the streets of New York, in any borough, pleasant faces greet me. I like that individuals really feel snug approaching me and sharing their expressions of friendship and appreciation. Belief is an enormous a part of my job. Integrity is on the coronary heart of my work. When folks consider my reporting is truthful and correct, then I’ve achieved my job.”
His nationally syndicated present, Positively America, resonates deeply with viewers attributable to its message of hope. Anastos defined, “My weekly, 30-minute program, Positively America, is seen on greater than 200 TV stations nationwide, together with WPIX TV in New York. It’s a novel, purposeful discuss program masking all kinds of topics, together with at this time’s social points, schooling, household, know-how, new tendencies, and life-style.
One in every of my packages sparked a vigorous dialogue about an individual’s legacy: What’s your life all about? What’s your sense of objective, and the way do you give again? I consider this subject is particularly vital in at this time’s world. Many people are caught up in social media—spending an excessive amount of time posting images, in search of likes, and counting followers. I feel we have to look deeper into the that means of life: why we’re right here and what we do with the items we’ve been given.”
He provides different examples, “ Along with fostering discussions on such significant subjects, I additionally spotlight optimistic information tales from throughout the nation, offering a possibility to reward and have a good time good conduct. From speaking to folks on the road about present points to providing my private message and name to motion on the finish of every episode, the present explores themes just like the American dream, patriotism, freedom, household, love, management, and extra.”
Anastos is a longtime e book creator as nicely. He shared, “I’ve authored two books specializing in youth. My first e book was referred to as Twixt: Teenagers Yesterday and Right this moment. It’s all in regards to the historical past of youth in America, together with life-style, vogue, fads, schooling and extra. It highlights the political and social affect that younger folks have had in our American historical past. The second e book, referred to as Ernie & the Massive Information is a narrative in regards to the adventures of a TV reporter. It’s about my life beginning out as a younger boy and coming to work within the primary TV market in America. It’s full of optimistic tales and an uplifting message asking younger folks to attempt to make the world a greater place. We now have given away 1000’s of books to high school kids within the New York Metropolis center college system. One in every of my favourite quotations that I share with folks all over the place is that this one. “Don’t go the place the trail might lead, go the place there isn’t any path and go away a path.”
Whereas many features of the media business have advanced, significantly with the rise of synthetic intelligence, Ernie Anastos emphasizes the significance of progress: “I consider progress is important in life. We should embrace adjustments that improve our world and what we go away behind. Synthetic intelligence is making a major influence globally.”
Mr. Anastos additionally displays on the evolving position of know-how and social media, acknowledging each their potential and pitfalls. “My complete life as a reporter has been based mostly on sharing tales and witnessing occasions in historical past. I like what I do, and I profit from having grown up in a time when issues had been easier. Again then, we solely had three networks and restricted information reporting. Right this moment, the Data Age has expanded far past something I imagined. In some ways, I’m enthusiastic about it, however in others, I’m apprehensive as a result of something will be abused. We have to take duty for recognizing the worth of the knowledge we share and the way it impacts public opinion and conduct.”
He additionally believes that social media, when used responsibly, can join generations. “It’s all about respect and understanding. Once we open our minds to others’ opinions with real respect, we’re connecting the dots throughout generations.”
Anastos stresses that the human component stays probably the most essential consider every little thing we do. “I hope know-how will probably be used responsibly to generate optimistic outcomes throughout all features of life. However finally, the human contact and our pure artistic abilities serve the best objective. I’m dedicated to defending this golden alternative, guaranteeing everybody has the liberty and enthusiasm to excel and contribute positively to society.”
Persevering with to amplify the optimistic features of stories reporting, Anastos says, “I consider my mission is to be a conduit, sharing info to assist folks perceive the worth of making truthful and balanced information reporting.”
As he seems to be to the longer term, Anastos is decided to proceed fostering optimistic change: “In all my years as a journalist, this is likely one of the most divisive occasions I’ve witnessed. The extra we share our humanity and customary pursuits, the nearer we get to a greater understanding and a extra peaceable atmosphere. Concord is an efficient phrase. It’s lacking in life in so some ways, and I’m hoping to enhance that.”
Thanks, Mr. Anastos, for sharing your inspiring journey with Social The Way of life Journal. Your dedication to uplifting journalism and connecting generations by significant tales leaves a long-lasting legacy of hope and integrity. Readers, discover his books and programming to witness how optimistic messaging continues to form our world.
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Amazon Hyperlink to Twixt: Teenagers Yesterday and Right this moment
Amazon Hyperlink to Earnie & The Massive Information
Subscribe to Positively Ernie: The Podcast
Apple Podcast Hyperlink