Meredith Vieira: Reporting From Danger Zones A ‘Difficult Choice’

In a candid conversation with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, Meredith Vieira said it would be tough to follow the lead of some of her fellow news anchors and report from dangerous locations.

“Katie [Couric] just got back from Iraq and Syria,” Billy noted. “One of the things they put on news journalists is are you willing to pack up and go to the dangerous areas and report?”

“It would be hard for me probably…It is a tough one (decision to make), but I’ve never said ‘no.‘ I haven’t been put in that situation yet. I think that would be a difficult choice.”

However, should the situation present itself to the “Today” show co-anchor, her decision would be based on the merit of her reporting – not the precedent set by her colleagues.

“Do you think if you can add to the story and it’s something that’s important you’d go instead of just, ‘I have to go because everyone has to go,’” Billy asked her.

“I think that’s a stupid reason to go, because everybody else does it,” Meredith said. “I’m 53 and I’m not going to; I just don’t play that game anymore. I’m not going to go because somebody tells me I have to for the sake of appearances. I think that’s crazy, but if a story warrants it, and you feel it would make a difference if I were there to see what’s going on… ”

Yet Meredith made it clear that everyone has to make their own choice and just because she may not go, doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right decision for other news anchors.

“I often think you have phenomenal war correspondents and then sometimes when you drop in a correspondent and you put them in this area surrounded by all the military… I’m not criticizing anyone in particular, but I often wonder, ‘Well, is that really enlightening?‘ Or is that just having your anchor with a backdrop and I don’t think that’s smart. People who go and actually cover stories, sure, that’s a good thing.”

As she celebrates one year at the “Today” show, Meredith also talked about some of the issues and the battles she has faced in her personal life.

“You have your hands full at home. I know your husband has [multiple sclerosis] and he’s battled colon cancer twice,” Billy said.

“He just had a colonoscopy and came out great,” Meredith beamed. “Eight years now free of cancer.”

She’s also currently dealing with one of motherhood’s toughest assignments – letting go of her 18-year-old son Ben, as he heads off to college.

“Have you been emotional about Ben?” Billy asked.

“I’ve been in a lot of denial, partly because he’s really ready. When your kid is ready and grows some wings as they say, he’s ready to fly off,” she said. “I was having a glass of wine watching Ben with the other kids and my eyes start to fill with tears. But I realized it was coming. It is kind of a grieving process to let your first one go.”

For more with Meredith, tune in to Friday’s Access Hollywood.

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