The theme for this year's prestigious Golden Bell Awards, "A nomination is winning an award," evidences the growing competitiveness and improved quality of broadcasting in the Republic of China.

This annual gala event, which salutes those outstanding individuals who work in the radio and television industry, used an expanded format to emphasize industry successes this year. Culminating on March 18th with the actual awards ceremony, the "Golden Bell Week", was full of activities, receptions and meetings. These various events were broadcast over the week of March 13 to exhibit the new maturity of local programming.

On March 15th a reception honoring all the nominees was held. Among the important dignitaries in attendance were the Government Information Office Director-General Dr. James Soong, Chancellor of Fu Jen University Dr. Lo Kwang, and Father Ting Soong-yun. Among the foreign guests contributing to the exciting proceedings were popular American television star Susan Howard and Hong Kong star Huang Hsing-hsui.

This year each of the 100-odd nominees were given special merit citations. The GIO, founder of the Golden Bell Awards, encouraged and congratulated all nominees with the merit citations. Given today's sophisticated audiences and pool of experienced local talent, a nomination is a tribute in itself. Liu Chian-shun, head of the GIO broadcasting department, underscored the honor of a nomination and the merit of each candidate.

New guidelines for award selections this year eliminated the problem of under-qualified nominees. This year, stringent prerequisites barred unworthy programs from participating in the selection process. As a result, nominations for television art direction, lighting, sound effects and radio variety program had less than the standard three nominees.

This year's award ceremony specially lauded the contributions of 'behind the scenes' workers. While stars' faces are familiar to audiences, a program, be it radio or television, cannot be produced without the efforts of technicians, prop people, make-up artists and others. Without cooperation, real quality cannot be maintained. Taiwan Television Network, this year's host network for the program, took special pains to introduce the viewing audience to the 'behind the scenes' people. Beginning in November, the network painstakingly planned and drafted a detailed week long series of programs giving the audience a clear look at the complete process of programming.

A final innovation at this year's awards was made in the procedure for selecting and judging shows. Previously, networks submitted the best episode of a nominated program. As judges pointed out that this led to lapses in overall program quality, this year, networks were asked to submit their best episodes, as well as selections of other programs. Judges then based their decision 60 percent on the best episode and 40 percent on a random sampling of programs. Thus the possibility of one program representing the over-all caliber of a series was eliminated.

The formal awards ceremony on Sunday, March 18th climaxed the entire week of festivities. As the leading figures in both radio and television assembled at the Sun Yatsen Memorial Hall, families throughout Taiwan gathered in front of television sets, anxiously awaiting the announcement of each winner.

T'ien Wen-chung and Chang Hsiao-yen, two of television's most delightful personalities, took on the hosting duties this year. The quick-witted Miss Chang, with her lightning delivery, proved an excellent foil for the more sedate Mr.T'ien. Their light-hearted banter relaxed the atmosphere and added a note of humor to the evening's proceedings.

The awards ceremony drew an attending audience of 2,000 guests. In the course of two and a half hours, some 43 awards were presented. Best actor award went to Chang Feng of China Television Station, for his role in the "Two Endings" program. Miss Wu Ching-hsien, a noted singer, won the award for best actress for her first acting role. Her performance in the series, "The story of the Orphans" was acclaimed by critics and viewers alike. Best male vocalist went to Fei Yu-ching, who has been plagued by "always the best man and never the groom" ill-fortune in the past two years' nominations. Fei, a noted folk and ballad singer, appeared both shocked and elated at the announcement of his award. The prize for best female vocalist went to Hsiao Li-chu, a surprize winner. The jubilant Miss Hsiao said her award was an encouraging sign and stressed that she would continue to develop her craft.

T'ien Wen-chung took a break from his M.C. duties to receive, along with his female co-anchor Shen Chun-hwa, the award for outstanding variety hosts for their popular "I Love the Matchmaker" program.

While much attention focused on the television field, radio programming was not overlooked. The surprising result of this year's radio awards was that all the prize-takers were female, an indication of women's advance in the industry.

An encouraging sign of the success of the awards in promoting quality in radio and television was the depth of quality exhibited by the T.V. series, "The Story of the Orphans" which took prizes for best script, best female actress, best series, and best director. This series was widely praised by critics and audiences.

A week of star-splashed programming this March reflected and paid tribute to the ripening prowess of the broadcasting industry in Taiwan. The ceremonies were enthusiastically received by audiences who now look for quality entertainment, not just diversion, in television and radio programs. Encouraged by the Golden Bell Awards, the broadcasting industry is sure to make great strides in the days ahead.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. This year's awards ceremonies were hosted by popular television personalities, T'ien Wen-chung and Chang Hsiao-yen. 2. Dance students from the National Academy of Arts delight the audience with their opening dance number "The Beautiful Golden Bell." 3. Fu Jen University Chancellor, Lo Kwang, presented the award for outstanding Educational and Cultural Television Program. The award was accepted by TTV general manager Shih Yung-kuei. 4. Shen Wan receives an award for outstanding children's program. 5. The talented Lanyang dance troupe presents a stirring performance for the audience.

1. The three nominees for best actor in a television series anxiously await the final announcement. 2. Kao Hsin-tan and Ch'en Yu-ching, hosts of CTS's Newsmagazine show, accept the award for best television news commentators. 3. Winners of the award for best news coverage. 4. Popular American television star, Susan Howard, presents a cowboy hat to President Chiang Ching-kuo. The hat is accepted on his behalf by Dr. James C.Y. Soong, Director-General of the Government Information Office. 5. The three nominees for best actress in a television series accept the merit citation awarded at the preawards reception. 6. Susan Howard, accompanied by her manager-husband, take a bow for the audience. 7. The Hansheng dance group performs an elegant dance number.

1. Four popular young television stars present the award for the best host of a children's program. 2. Shen Ch'un-hwa was a double winner. She won best hostess awards for both children's and variety programs. 3. Chang Feng won the award for best television actor while Wu Ching-hsien won the best actress award. 4. Popular singing star Liu Wen-cheng electrifies the audience with his style.

1.5. Singing stars Ouyang Fei-fei and Tracy Hwang made special guest appearances. 2. Rising television star, Chao Yung-hsin won the coveted best newcomer award. 3. Hong Kong entertainer Pan-pan and renowned movie actor Sun Yueh present the award for outstanding variety program. 4. T'ang Lan-hwa and Ling Feng present the awards for best commercials.

1. The ever popular singing star Feng Fei-fei lent her talents to the proceedings. 2. Hsiao Li-chu proudly displays her award for best television vocalist.

2. Dance students from the National Academy of Arts delight the audience with their opening dance number "The Beautiful Golden Bell.

3. Fu Jen University Chancellor, Lo Kwang, presented the award for outstanding Educational and Cultural Television Program. The award was accepted by TTV general manager Shih Yung-kuei.

4. Shen Wan receives an award for outstanding children's program.

5. The talented Lanyang dance troupe presents a stirring performance for the audience.

1. The three nominees for best actor in a television series anxiously await the final announcement.

2. Kao Hsin-tan and Ch'en Yu-ching, hosts of CTS's Newsmagazine show, accept the award for best television news commentators.

3. Winners of the award for best news coverage.

4. Popular American television star, Susan Howard, presents a cowboy hat to President Chiang Ching-kuo. The hat is accepted on his behalf by Dr. James C.Y. Soong, Director-General of the Government Information Office.

5. The three nominees for best actress in a television series accept the merit citation awarded at the preawards reception.

6. Susan Howard, accompanied by her manager-husband, take a bow for the audience.

7. The Hansheng dance group performs an elegant dance number.