Canada Votes 2008

Lifeline Communications will provide ongoing analysis of campaign media coverage during Election 2008.

Our media analysis will feature our NewsInfluence Index, which offers an indicator of the tone, volume and prominence of campaign coverage in major national news media.

Resources

Media Links

n Elections Canada

n Liberal Party

n Conservative Party

n NDP

n Green Party

n CTV

n CBC

n Global / Canwest

n Globe and Mail

n Toronto Star

NewsInfluence Index - Oct. 2-3/08

NewsInfluence Index

Lifeline Communications calculates our NewsInfluence index, based on the number, prominence and tone of media items. The formula offsets negative, neutral, and positive media coverage, and assigns greater weight to prominent media items such as front page articles and higher ranking in television newscasts. The NewsInfluence index provides an indicator of the volume and tone of campaign coverage received by political parties in national news media.

The NewsInfluence Index covers major campaign items published in the Victoria Times Colonist, Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald, Regina Leader-Post, Saskatchewan StarPhoenix, Winnipeg Free Press, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, and Montreal Gazette. The index also covers major campaign news items in television newscasts by CBC, CTV and Global National.

© Lifeline Communications Group Inc. 2005 - 2008

English Televised Debates Oct. 3/08

Harper Withstands Barrage,
NDP Performs Well, Liberals Fade
in News Coverage

Conservative +41.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Reversing negative media coverage following the French leaders’ debate, a heavy volume of television and print news reports positioned Leader Stephen Harper as withstanding a combined barrage from opposition leaders.

· News reports described Harper as more engaged, without becoming angry or mean spirited.

· As voter worry intensifies over the economy, lost jobs, and financial turmoil in U.S. markets, news reports said Harper delivered a clear message that the Conservative government is best positioned to manage Canada through troubled times.

NDP +39
NewsInfluence Index

· News reports gave the most prominence among opposition leaders to Leader Jack Layton, who sharply articulated Canadians’ rising fear over the economic downturn.

· Media coverage featured one of the most memorable lines from the leaders’ debate, when Layton challenged why the Conservatives were the only party not to not yet release an election platform. “Where is it? Under your sweater?” Layton quipped.

Green Party +20
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Elizabeth May received significant attention in television news reports for making a positive impact in her televised debate debut.

· News reports said May demonstrated the Green Party has more to say than just advocating environmental policies, and noted she made some effective attacks against Harper on the economy.

Liberal +7
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Stephane Dion received negative media commentary from a widely published Canwest News column, and critical analysis from CTV News.

· Election coverage observed that Dion struggled to challenge the government on the economy, and failed to give much lift to his troubled campaign in front of the largest television audience before voting day.

Bloc Quebecois +5
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Gilles Duceppe was described as an effective debater, but did not receive a high profile in election coverage.

· News reports noted his concerns about the Conservative government’s laissez-faire approach to the downturn in the economy.

Extensive election coverage for the English leaders’ debate positioned Prime Minister Stephen Harper as surviving combined opposition attacks. NDP Leader Jack Layton was prominently featured in news reports as a strong performer, along with the Green Party’s Elizabeth May. Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was not dominant in news coverage, and columns said he failed to  connect with voters.