“I’m looking for balance,” veteran WNYW anchor Ernie Anastos said recently, as he reflected on a long career that is to be honored this weekend with a Lifetime Achievement Emmy from the New York chapter of NATAS. “Let’s get some positive stories on the news as well.”

In an interview with Richard Huff of the Daily News, Anastos, who anchors WNYW’s 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Dari Alexander, says that it is his duty to change the popular perception of local news that is “you have to do something bad to get on the news.”

“I’ve heard it enough times to really feel that’s why I have to put some of these better stories on,” he said. “I’m the messenger. If I can bring better stories on the air–and working within the system–then I’m making a difference.”

“Sometimes, as we know in life, it takes time. If you want to do something, you have to start. I’m starting this process.”