Image a profession formed by historic moments, trusted relationships in New York Metropolis’s media scene, and a curiosity-driven method 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 need to share constructive tales extends past tv; he additionally hosts the podcast Positively Ernie: The Podcast.
Anastos is keen about connecting with youthful generations by way of his present Positively America. He says, “In my expertise talking to younger folks at faculties and school campuses, there’s a powerful want for hope and religion in excellent news. We have to reward constructive conduct and acknowledge the nice issues taking place in our communities, nation, and world.”
He additionally displays on the evolving position of expertise and social media, recognizing each its advantages and downsides. “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 Data Age has been each thrilling and worrying. The priority is that something might be abused.
He observes, “We have to take accountability for the worth of data we share and the way it impacts public opinion and conduct—I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false information, 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. After 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 entire 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 have been a lot less complicated. Within the media, we solely had three networks and a restricted quantity of stories reporting. As we speak, 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 might be abused. We have to take accountability for recognizing the worth of the knowledge we’re disseminating to the general public and the way we’re reporting tales that impression public opinions and conduct. I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false information, 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 constructive adjustments of their communities. Once I requested him, “What do you suppose are the important components of a name to motion?” he responded, “An important aspect is one thing that is smart. Individuals want to acknowledge that any name to motion have to be rooted in frequent sense and honesty. That’s often not arduous to identify. After 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 all the time 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 a neighborhood 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 present and function is to function an instrument of constructive pondering. I select to tell, educate, have interaction, and encourage folks by way of 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 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 the earth of stories, I’ve seen one of the best and worst of human conduct. A few of the diversified tales I’ve lined embody the COVID pandemic, September eleventh, the loss of life 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 folks really feel snug approaching me and sharing their expressions of friendship and appreciation. Belief is a giant a part of my job. Integrity is on the coronary heart of my work. When folks imagine my reporting is honest and correct, then I’ve executed my job.”
His nationally syndicated present, Positively America, resonates deeply with viewers as a consequence of 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 singular, purposeful speak program protecting all kinds of topics, together with in the present day’s social points, training, household, expertise, new traits, and way of life.
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 function, and the way do you give again? I imagine this matter is particularly essential in in the present day’s world. Many people are caught up in social media—spending an excessive amount of time posting pictures, searching for likes, and counting followers. I feel we have to look deeper into the which means of life: why we’re right here and what we do with the items we’ve been given.”
He offers different examples, “ Along with fostering discussions on such significant subjects, I additionally spotlight constructive information tales from throughout the nation, offering a chance to reward and rejoice 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 ebook writer as properly. He shared, “I’ve authored two books specializing in youth. My first ebook was referred to as Twixt: Teenagers Yesterday and As we speak. It’s all in regards to the historical past of youth in America, together with way of life, trend, fads, training and extra. It highlights the political and social affect that younger folks have had in our American historical past. The second ebook, referred to as Ernie & the Large 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 constructive tales and an uplifting message asking younger folks to attempt to make the world a greater place. We now have given away hundreds of books to highschool youngsters within the New York Metropolis center college system. One in every of my favourite quotations that I share with folks in all places is that this one. “Don’t go the place the trail could 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 imagine progress is crucial in life. We should embrace adjustments that improve our world and what we go away behind. Synthetic intelligence is making a major impression globally.”
Mr. Anastos additionally displays on the evolving position of expertise and social media, acknowledging each their potential and pitfalls. “My entire 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 have been less complicated. Again then, we solely had three networks and restricted information reporting. As we speak, the Data Age has expanded far past something I imagined. In some ways, I’m enthusiastic about it, however in others, I’m fearful as a result of something might be abused. We have to take accountability 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. After 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 pieces we do. “I hope expertise shall be used responsibly to generate constructive outcomes throughout all features of life. However finally, the human contact and our pure inventive skills serve the best function. 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 constructive features of stories reporting, Anastos says, “I imagine my mission is to be a conduit, sharing data to assist folks 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 constructive change: “In all my years as a journalist, this is among 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 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 way of significant tales leaves an enduring legacy of hope and integrity. Readers, discover his books and programming to witness how constructive messaging continues to form our world.
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Amazon Hyperlink to Twixt: Teenagers Yesterday and As we speak
Amazon Hyperlink to Earnie & The Large Information
Subscribe to Positively Ernie: The Podcast
Apple Podcast Hyperlink
