What makes a valid news organization?

I've watched with some bemusement how some people have worked very hard to paint Fox News as a fake news network. As far as I can determine, the reason they do this is they don't like what Fox News has to say on some issues.

A friend of mine even said that Fox is not a real news network because of the stories it chooses to report. He sent me to a Web site, fair.org, to back up his claim. I went there and looked over who was a part of the Web site, and noticed they all seemed to be of a certain political bent. If they were truly fair, wouldn't all views be represented?

Even the White House tossed its two cents in earlier this month, urging other news organizations to follow their lead in declaring Fox News a fake news organizations. So far CNN, MSNBC and others have responded with a lack of enthusiasm on declaring their competitor as a fake.

In the interests of full disclosure I will confess that I do watch Fox News. My favorite commentator on the network is Bill O'Reilly, who I agree with more often than not. I sometimes watch Greta Van Susteren as well. Sean Hannity? I think he is sometimes too ready to steamroller over those who disagree with him instead of listening to them. Glenn Beck? I used to listen to him a lot, but now he comes off as an alarmist. That turns me off, frankly.

In further disclosure I admit that I also listen to and enjoy Rush Limbaugh. In addition to Fox, I get updates from CNN and have the mobile phone version of Time Magazine on my phone. This has nothing to do with whether or not Fox News is a real news network, but hey, at least you know where I am coming from.

Let's start by defining terms. Some people would say that "Laura's Look" is not a real news column. And they would be correct. I have never claimed to be a "news column." This column is pretty much what I want to chat about for 600 or so words. It is an opinion piece.

The people who I hear the haters of Fox News pound on a lot are not news people. They are commentators. Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly - they are expressing their opinions. And apparently a lot of people like what they say if the ratings are any indication.

"But," you may say, "Fox covers news the others don't! The stories they choose prove they are not a real news network!"

OK. First, let's acknowledge that all news networks choose what to cover. They have to. They've only got so much time and so many resources at their disposal - this forces them to choose what to focus on.

The fact that Fox doesn't cover what others do, such as the ACORN scandal? Is this really a count against it? Or are true news networks required to agree on what stories should be given attention?

And what about the White House declaring Fox News as a fake network? Be careful with this one. One of Laura's Rules of Life is "Don't make a law or policy you yourself don't want to live under." If we give the White House the power to decide what is or isn't a news network, someday someone who doesn't agree with you may sit in that Oval Office. What if he decides CNN isn't a real news network?

I'm not saying you have to watch Fox News. I'm not saying you have to like it or agree with its commentators.

I am saying that not liking what it says isn't enough of a reason to pronounce it a fake news network. It's as valid as any of them. Watch it - or not - at your discretion.

Laura Ware is a Sebring resident. She can be contacted by e-mail at bookworm lady@embarqmail.com