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Times Magazine Interview: Umberto Eco

by Nicholas Katers

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While I have ragged on The New York Times in multiple entries in the past, one of my favorite pieces of reading materials is the Sunday Times Magazine. The magazine encapsulates some of the major issues facing the world today without committing to some of the bloviating that goes on in the regular paper. I have to confess that I also enjoy the interviews because they are free online. This week’s interview subject was Umberto Eco, an Italian political philosopher who laments the growth of media consolidation in Italy.

Eco’s attacks on former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reveal his belief that media consolidation is a major demon in his native country. In the interview, however, the Times writer seems to bypass the fact that America is undergoing similar problems. Eco acknowledges that his specific concerns are peculiar to Italy though the Federal Communications Commission has certainly done a lot toward deregulating media markets. I think the responsibility for this oversight falls on Times writer Deborah Solomon.

One other issue I have with the interview with Umberto Eco is the type of questions that Solomon pursues about Eco’s literary background. The written word does not easily lend itself to transcribing discussions but I got the impression that Eco was agitated. Solomon asks whether he would care if anyone read his book 100 years from now. Eco gave a curt answer that essentially said that writers need to care about their work to ensure the creation of something significant. I am toying with the idea of making a review of the Times magazine a regular fixture each Monday. If anyone has any input, I would love to hear it.


Posted in Italy, Media, New York Times, Umberto Eco, consolidation, media bias, politics on November 26th, 2007

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2 Responses to “Times Magazine Interview: Umberto Eco”

  1. Doug Robertson Says:
    November 26th, 2007 at 3:40 am

    I say make it a regular Monday feature. I love the NYT myself, not just the Sunday edition, but a weekly review would be something to look forward to. That’s my vote.

  2. Media Criticism » Blog Archive » New York Times Interview: John Podhoretz Says:
    December 10th, 2007 at 6:54 am

    [...] Solomon from the New York Times spoke with Commentary editor John Podhoretz in this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine. The [...]

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