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. 12-13/08

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. 13/08

Election Coverage Sees Campaign Moving in Conservative Direction

Conservative +55
NewsInfluence Index

· Television news and prominent print coverage delivered a positive message that the re-election campaign by Prime Minister Stephen Harper gained momentum in the first week of the campaign.

· News reports observed there are signs of increased voter support despite several gaffes during the opening week of the campaign, including a flip-flop on whether the Green Party should participate in televised leaders’ debates, an apology for a ‘Pooping Puffin” attack on Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, and another apology for an inappropriate e-mail about the father of a Canadian solider who died in Afghanistan.

· Several front page articles, including the  Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette and Saskatoon StarPhoenix, said polls suggest voters were still reluctant to give the Conservatives a majority government.

NDP +24
NewsInfluence Index

· NDP Leader Jack Layton received extensive coverage for commenting on a sharp increase in gasoline prices, and a campaign promise to take action on a range of escalating consumer fees, including ATMs, cell phones and energy.

Green +17
NewsInfluence Index

· Weekend coverage positioned Leader Elizabeth May as a big winner in the first week of the election campaign, emphasizing her participation in upcoming televised leaders’ debates.

Liberal +15
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Stephane Dion received mixed coverage, as news reports suggested environmental promises, including new money for home efficiency, face a tough sell in the face of fast rising gasoline prices and B.C. opposition to a provincial carbon tax.

BQ +9
NewsInfluence Index

· Several national items featured a call by Leader Gilles Duceppe for the Conservative government to enshrine recognition of the Quebecois nation in the Constitution.

In positive tones, national election coverage emphasized poll results showing momentum for the Conservative campaign, as television news and several front page articles suggested voters have more favourable impressions of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, despite several first week gaffes.