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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. |
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Resources |
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Media Links |
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NewsInfluence Index - Oct. 6-7/08 |
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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 |
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Oct. 7/08
Conservatives Struggle to Shift Message on the Economy |
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Conservative -65 · Negative headlines about plunging stock markets, recession fears and worried voters piled on the Conservative Party, as Leader Stephen Harper struggled to recalibrate his election message on the economy. · In the closing days of the campaign, news reports emphasized the economy has become Issue No. 1 for voters who are barraged by front page headlines about financial turmoil. · Election coverage suggested the Conservative campaign strategy of a ‘firm hand on the tiller’ and ‘steady as she goes’ is suddenly out of step with voter sentiment. · News reports pointed out the latest poll results show the Conservatives trending down, repeating a pattern in recent election campaigns. Liberal +26 · Media coverage explained that the sharp focus on the economy is breathing new life into Leader Stephane Dion’s troubled campaign, as he hammers away at Conservative ‘laissez-faire’ attitudes about lost jobs and economic hardship. NDP +20 · Leader Jack Layton also received prominent media attention for his attacks on the Conservative government’s handling of the unwinding economy. Green Party +7 · Television and print news reports featured an all candidates’ meeting in a Nova Scotia riding between Leader Elizabeth May and Conservative Defence Minister Peter Mackay. May sharply criticized government policies on the economy and the war in Afghanistan. Bloc Quebecois +1 · Mixed coverage included a positive Globe and Mail column on the Bloc Quebecois’ successful campaign strategy, and a negative item about controversial remarks by a BQ candidate. |
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A steep plunge in financial markets led to a sea of negative headlines for the Conservative government as Leader Stephen Harper struggled to recalibrate his election message on the economy. The sharp focus on financial turmoil provided a lift for Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s troubled campaign, and NDP Leader Jack Layton positioned the Conservatives as out of step and out of touch with worried voters. |
