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 - Sept. 10-11/08

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

Sept. 11/08

Positive Coverage for Greens in Leaders’ TV Debates

Green +63
NewsInfluence Index

· Network television news and many front pages, including the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Victoria Times Colonist,  led with a decision to allow Green Party Leader Elizabeth May to participate in televised leaders’ debates next month.

· News reports explained the issue caused particular difficulty for NDP Leader Jack Layton. He reversed his position on the issue, calling “the debate about the debate” a distraction.

· May provided several television interviews, praising Canadians for putting pressure on television networks and political parties to allow her to participate.

Conservative +24.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Stephen Harper received positive election coverage for announcing he intends to end Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan by 2011.

· The issue received prominent television coverage from CTV News and Global National, and front page coverage in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald.

· Some negative media items emphasized sharp criticism for Harper from Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams.

Liberal +12
NewsInfluence Index

· Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, promising $50 million to improve food safety and commenting on economic troubles in Ontario, received light media coverage.

NDP +11
NewsInfluence Index

· A Global National television item and Edmonton Journal article highlighted NDP Leader Jack Layton’s announcement on the economy.

· A Globe and Mail item highlighted stronger poll results for the NDP in British Columbia.

Bloc Quebecois -14
NewsInfluence Index

· Negative election coverage emphasized concerns the Bloc Quebecois may offer little more than an alternative to the NDP, if the issue of Quebec sovereignty does not have a high profile.