Of the 125 magazines which were entered for Golden Tripod Awards this year, three were singled out for special mention and awarded honors as outstanding magazines of the year. The publications, Commonwealth, Shih Pao and Artist, certainly deserved their recognition.
Established only 18 months ago, Commonwealth is the Republic of China's first and only business monthly and its subscribers and advertisers continue to grow in number. Commonwealth's in-depth but straightforward reporting of the business world in easy-to-understand language has allowed it to carve a niche for itself in Taiwan's publishing world.
The magazine is the brainchild of three people: Charles H. C. Kao, an economist; Diane Yin, formerly with the Wall Street Journal; and Li-shun Wang, former managing editor of one of Taiwan's leading magazines. They felt that despite the ROC's rapid economic progress there was a lack of background knowledge in the field, therefore, education in economic affairs has lagged behind. The attitude of many businessmen who look only for quick profits has also held up development.
Editor Diane Yin explained that Commonwealth's philosophy is positive, forward-looking and outward-looking. She elaborated, "Positive because negative criticism and accusation are of limited use in helping society to advance. It is much better to make positive and viable suggestions." Therefore, she asks her reporters not only to point out problems but also to make suggestions. When reporters look at all sides of an issue and objectively analyze and report, readers are able to judge the issue for themselves.
Commonwealth is forward-looking because the publishers feel that although an understanding of the past is important, if ideas and methods do not advance and evolve, the nation will have great difficulty in coping with problems that will arise in the future.
The magazine looks outward because Taiwan is a small island, poor in natural resources and dependent on exports. And as the international marketplace is highly competitive, what goes on in the rest of the world is of extreme importance. As modern communications systems have been introduced the world has become smaller. In view of this, Commonwealth interviews foreign scholars and publishes reports from periodicals around the world. The publishers hope to give their readers a cosmopolitan outlook while at the same time helping them solve problems they face by viewing how these problems are handled by others.
Diane Yin is strict about the quality of articles published in Commonwealth. It is therefore surprising to learn that none of the eight staff reporters have any background in economics, and most have recently graduated from university. Yin pointed out that despite the lack of economic training, all staff members have studied journalism and thus have acquired the basic tools of the trade. While researching articles, reporters spend a great deal of time and energy interviewing businessmen and scholars. Only after they have a clear understanding of the issues do they begin to write. But she admits that at first articles were sent back three or four times before they were acceptable, and now reporters are required to write only one article a month each, giving them enough time to study and improve.
The publishers also pay attention to the business side of the magazine. Before starting publication, they decided on the audience they wanted to reach and designed Commonwealth to fit it. This preliminary work paid off and the emerging class of young professionals in business, government and education are now Commonwealth's devoted readers.
Shih Pao Magazine is a sister publication of the China Times and the Shih Pao Weekly, two of the most popular publications in the ROC. Published exclusively for intellectuals interested in the ROC, the magazine was awarded the Golden Tripod Award for the second time.
Chairman of the China Times, Yu Chi-chung said that Shih Pao Magazine was originally published for overseas distribution to people from Taiwan living abroad who were concerned about their homeland. Two years later, the domestic edition was published to meet growing demand within Taiwan.
Many people think first of Shih Pao Magazine for its political reporting, but managing editor, Cheng Shu-min, pointed out that the magazine has a much wider scope. Each week, there are articles on national politics, international affairs, art and literature, society, and science and technology.
Shih Pao Magazine's reporters are all of the highest caliber, which assures interesting and intelligent reading in every issue. To retain these people and attract quality articles from freelance writers, the magazine pays relatively high salaries. This, coupled with its limited circulation, means the magazine loses money every issue. Fortunately, with its two sister publications to support it, Shih Pao Magazine can retain its high standards without worrying about financial problems, thus filling a need for information both inside Taiwan and overseas.
For three years in succession, Artist has received the Golden Tripod Award, a tribute to Ho Cheng-kuang, who publishes it almost single-handedly.
Artist's success can be attributed to three factors. In the first place, the fast pace of economic development in Taiwan has given people more time to enjoy the finer things of life, including art. Secondly, Ho is a practical man who has allowed Artist to expand slowly, from its original 130 pages to 260 at present. Lastly, Ho relies on his many friends in the art world to supply him with articles, since Artist has no staff reporters.
After reviewing all the major art magazines around the world, Ho decided that none were appropriate models for an arts magazine in Taiwan. He felt Taiwan was too small and there were not many fine artists. Ho therefore thought it best to concentrate on art and art movements abroad, thereby helping to raise local standards by introducing new ideas. Because of this, three-fifths of all articles come from overseas.
From these three magazines it is clear that there is a market in the Republic of China for serious, informative publications. The hard work, planning, and dedication of the staff of the magazines is proof that their selection as recipients of the 1982 Golden Tripod Awards was no accident.
[Picture Caption]
1. Commonwealth is a well researched but easy to read magazine dealing with the business world in the Republic of China. 2. Commonwealth's managing editor, Diane Yin, was the 1982 recipient of the Golden Tripod Award for editing. 3. Commonwealth's reporters are all very young.
1. Shih Pao Magazine is published for those both here and abroad concerned about developments in the Republic of China. 2. Shih Pao Magazine's managing editor, Cheng Shu-min, said the magazine is philosophically moderate and its goal is the betterment of the nation. 3. Artist's publisher, Ho Cheng-kuang, relies on his vast experience and independent approach. 4. Artist devotes many of its pages to introducing Western art movements and theories. It is one of the ROC's most popular art magazines.
Commonwealth's managing editor, Diane Yin, was the 1982 recipient of the Golden Tripod Award for editing.
Commonwealth's reporters are all very young.
Shih Pao Magazine is published for those both here and abroad concerned about developments in the Republic of China.
Shih Pao Magazine's managing editor, Cheng Shu-min, said the magazine is philosophically moderate and its goal is the betterment of the nation.
Artist's publisher, Ho Cheng-kuang, relies on his vast experience and independent approach.
Artist devotes many of its pages to introducing Western art movements and theories. It is one of the ROC's most popular art magazines.
