The public Police Radio Station (PRS) topped the nomination list Tuesday for the radio category in the 2010 Golden Bell Awards, the nation's most prestigious television and radio broadcasting awards. In response to rising community awareness, steadily increasing numbers of people are paying more attention to their neighborhoods through public channels such as the PRS and the Fishery Radio Station, said Wei-wei Vivian Huang, a researcher for the National Communications Commission and a professor at National Chengchi University's Department of Radio and Television. 'There have been more and more cultural and social concerns addressed via radio programs, especially since the disastrous Typhoon Morakot last August,' she said. The 45th Golden Bell Awards features a record-breaking 871 entries, compared to 705 last year, according to the Government Information Office, which organizes the awards. Among the 125 nominations, the PRS, run by the Ministry of the Interior, tops the list with 22 entries. Traditionally specializing in traffic reports, social services, and rescue and disaster relief efforts, the PRS has learned to better integrate government resources with entertainment, which has increased the number of listeners, said Huang. The comment was echoed by Chang Chun-Young, the PRS program section chief, who said the station has taken advantage of its position as Taiwan's only round-the- clock station broadcasting live seven days a week, and its strong connection with government organizations, to maintain its service-oriented niche while also providing entertainment. 'We have been trying to accommodate our listeners' needs, ' Chang said, adding that 'people can get the most immediate hard news even during a pop music show.' Chang said the station is excited to see that its efforts have begun to bear fruit. The Golden Bell Awards ceremony for radio will take place Oct. 15 at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei City. 