Image a profession formed by historic moments, trusted relationships in New York Metropolis’s media scene, and a curiosity-driven method to vary. By way of his tv present Positively America, veteran broadcaster Ernie Anastos shares uplifting tales of on a regular basis individuals, 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 enthusiastic about connecting with youthful generations via his present Positively America. He says, “In my expertise talking to younger individuals at faculties and faculty campuses, there’s a robust want for hope and religion in excellent news. We have to reward optimistic habits and acknowledge the great issues occurring in our communities, nation, and world.”
He additionally displays on the evolving position of expertise 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 retailers within the Info Age has been each thrilling and worrying. The priority is that something might be abused.
He observes, “We have to take duty for the worth of data we share and the way it impacts public opinion and habits—I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false info, and irresponsible reporting.”
Anastos additionally observes that social media has the potential to attach generations, stating, “I imagine 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 expertise, noting that whereas developments in broadcasting expertise profit tv viewers, they need to be used responsibly. He mentioned, “ My complete life as a reporter has been primarily based 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 less complicated. Within the media, we solely had three networks and a restricted quantity of reports reporting. Immediately, the Info 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 rationale for that’s as a result of something might 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 habits. I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false info, and different irresponsible actions.”
Mr. Ernie Anastos understands the significance of making an interesting, shifting, and efficient name to motion that evokes our readers and viewers to make optimistic modifications 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 aspect is one thing that is sensible. Folks want to acknowledge that any name to motion should be rooted in widespread sense and honesty. That’s often not laborious to identify. Once we’re clever and delicate to actual issues, providing options that make sense, we have now a greater likelihood 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 in class. I constructed just a little radio station in my basement once 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 faculty years and all through my life. I really feel that my mission is to be an envoy of goodwill and to assist enhance individuals’s lives. My present and function is to function an instrument of optimistic pondering. I select to tell, educate, have interaction, and encourage individuals via 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 essentially the most numerous 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 the planet of reports, I’ve seen the perfect and worst of human habits. A few of the different tales I’ve coated embody the COVID pandemic, September eleventh, the dying of John Lennon, Papal visits, the marathon, and different citywide celebrations. I think about 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 folks really feel comfy 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 individuals imagine my reporting is honest and correct, then I’ve completed 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 overlaying all kinds of topics, together with at the moment’s social points, training, household, expertise, new tendencies, and way of life.
Considered one of my applications sparked a vigorous dialogue about an individual’s legacy: What’s your life all about? What’s your sense of function, and the way do you give again? I imagine this matter is particularly vital in at the moment’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 believe we have to look deeper into the that means of life: why we’re right here and what we do with the presents we’ve been given.” 
He provides different examples, “ Along with fostering discussions on such significant matters, I additionally spotlight optimistic information tales from throughout the nation, offering a chance to reward and have a good time good habits. From speaking to individuals 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 writer as nicely. He shared, “I’ve authored two books specializing in youth. My first e-book was referred to as Twixt: Teenagers Yesterday and Immediately. It’s all concerning the historical past of youth in America, together with way of life, style, fads, training and extra. It highlights the political and social affect that younger individuals have had in our American historical past. The second e-book, referred to as Ernie & the Massive Information is a narrative concerning 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 stuffed with optimistic tales and an uplifting message asking younger individuals to attempt to make the world a greater place. We’ve given away hundreds of books to high school kids within the New York Metropolis center faculty system. Considered one of my favourite quotations that I share with individuals all over the place is that this one. “Don’t go the place the trail might lead, go the place there is no such thing as a 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 imagine progress is important in life. We should embrace modifications that improve our world and what we go away behind. Synthetic intelligence is making a big influence globally.”
Mr. Anastos additionally displays on the evolving position of expertise and social media, acknowledging each their potential and pitfalls. “My complete life as a reporter has been primarily based 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 less complicated. Again then, we solely had three networks and restricted information reporting. Immediately, the Info Age has expanded far past something I imagined. In some ways, I’m enthusiastic about it, however in others, I’m nervous as a result of something might be abused. We have to take duty for recognizing the worth of the knowledge we share and the way it impacts public opinion and habits.”
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 aspect stays essentially the most essential think about all the things we do. “I hope expertise shall be used responsibly to generate optimistic outcomes throughout all features of life. However in the end, the human contact and our pure inventive skills serve the best function. I’m dedicated to defending this golden alternative, making certain everybody has the liberty and enthusiasm to excel and contribute positively to society.”
Persevering with to amplify the optimistic features of reports reporting, Anastos says, “I imagine my mission is to be a conduit, sharing data to assist individuals perceive the worth of making honest and balanced information reporting.”
As he seems to be to the longer term, Anastos is set to proceed fostering optimistic change: “In all my years as a journalist, this is without doubt 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 surroundings. Concord is an effective 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 via 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 Immediately
Amazon Hyperlink to Earnie & The Massive Information
Subscribe to Positively Ernie: The Podcast
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