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. 7-8/08

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

Oct. 8/08

Harper Bolsters Coverage Through Network Interviews

Conservative +41.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Prominent network television interviews by Leader Stephen Harper helped to bolster positive coverage as the Conservative Party attempted to respond to a downturn in the economy.

· Reaction by prominent columnists to the Conservative election platform and policies on the economy was generally negative, delivering a message that Harper has failed to connect with worried voters.

· Release of the party platform received balanced or positive print coverage, including front page headlines in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, and Calgary Herald. Coverage for the platform was not prominent in many other newspapers.

· Negative media items highlighted criticism for the Conservative government from environmental and crime groups, and a flip flop on the government’s controversial policy on tax credits for film production.

Liberal +24.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Stephane Dion received national media attention for his critical reaction to the Conservative election platform, commenting that Harper has failed to make jobs a priority.

NDP +23
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Jack Layton accused Harper of responding to the world financial crisis in a similar way to how Prime Minister R.B. Bennett handled the Great Depression.

Green Party +2
NewsInfluence Index

· An Ottawa Citizen item highlighted comments by Leader Elizabeth May accusing CTV Newsnet of bias in its coverage for a candidates’ debate in her riding against Conservative Defence Minister Peter MacKay.

Bloc Quebecois +0
NewsInfluence Index

· With heavy emphasis in election coverage for the financial crisis and the Conservative election platform, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe did not receive prominent national media attention.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper released an election platform and provided prominent television interviews in a bid to halt his party’s slide in voter support. Columnists and media analysts saw the campaign perched on a tipping point, with growing fear about the world financial crisis and a downturn in the economy. Opposition leaders harshly attacked Harper for failing to make jobs and the economy a higher priority.