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 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 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 a less complicated 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 accountability for the worth of data we share and the way it impacts public opinion and habits—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. 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 stated, “ My complete life as a reporter has been primarily based on sharing tales and being a witness to occasions in historical past. I really like what I do. I can profit from a perspective of rising up in a time when issues have 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 rationale for that’s as a result of something will 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 habits. I’m speaking about disinformation, rumors, false details, and different irresponsible actions.”
Mr. Ernie Anastos understands the significance of making an interesting, transferring, and efficient name to motion that evokes our readers and viewers to make optimistic adjustments of their communities. After I requested him, “What do you assume are the important components of a name to motion?” he responded, “An important factor is one thing that is smart. Folks want to acknowledge that any name to motion have to be rooted in widespread 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 have now a greater likelihood to create significant change.”
Mr. Anastos has all the time aspired to be a journalist. He shares, “I beloved 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 a bit radio station in my basement once 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 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 probably the most numerous tradition. I’ve been honored to witness historical past in some ways. I really 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 habits. Among the different tales I’ve lined embrace the COVID pandemic, September eleventh, the loss of life of John Lennon, Papal visits, the marathon, and different citywide celebrations. I contemplate myself lucky to have been on the air for therefore a few years. After 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 an enormous a part of my job. Integrity is on the coronary heart of my work. When individuals consider 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 novel, purposeful discuss program protecting all kinds of topics, together with at the moment’s social points, training, household, expertise, new tendencies, and life-style.
One among my applications sparked a full of life 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 consider this subject is particularly vital in at the moment’s world. Many people are caught up in social media—spending an excessive amount of time posting pictures, looking for 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 offers different examples, “ Along with fostering discussions on such significant matters, I additionally spotlight optimistic information tales from throughout the nation, offering a possibility to reward and have fun 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 guide creator as properly. He shared, “I’ve authored two books specializing in youth. My first guide 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, training and extra. It highlights the political and social affect that younger individuals have had in our American historical past. The second guide, 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 stuffed with optimistic tales and an uplifting message asking younger individuals to attempt to make the world a greater place. We’ve got given away 1000’s of books to high school kids within the New York Metropolis center faculty system. One among my favourite quotations that I share with individuals in all places 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 depart a path.”
Whereas many elements 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 depart behind. Synthetic intelligence is making a big impression 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 really like what I do, and I profit from having grown up in a time when issues have 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 anxious as a result of something will be abused. We have to take accountability 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. After we open our minds to others’ opinions with real respect, we’re connecting the dots throughout generations.”
Anastos stresses that the human factor stays probably the most essential consider every little thing we do. “I hope expertise can be used responsibly to generate optimistic outcomes throughout all elements of life. However finally, the human contact and our pure artistic abilities 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 elements of stories reporting, Anastos says, “I consider my mission is to be a conduit, sharing data to assist individuals perceive the worth of making honest and balanced information reporting.”
As he appears to the long run, Anastos is decided 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 Right this moment
Amazon Hyperlink to Earnie & The Large Information
Subscribe to Positively Ernie: The Podcast
Apple Podcast Hyperlink