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. 15-16/08

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. 16/08

Stock Market Downturn Puts Prominent Attention on Economy

Conservative +26
NewsInfluence Index

· Election coverage for the Conservative Party was mixed, with balanced news reports featuring comments by Prime Minister Stephen Harper trying to downplay fear and worry over a steep drop in financial markets.

· Positive news reports highlighted the Conservative promise of employment insurance benefits for entrepreneurs, emphasizing this would help many women who are self-employed.

· In negative tones, prominent coverage from Global National and Canwest News said the Conservative government has failed to disclose the cost of Canada’s military mission to Afghanistan.

· Some news reports noted a Conservative lead in public opinion polls appeared to be narrowing.

NDP +25
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Jack Layton received prominent media attention for commenting on the financial market downturn and attacking the Conservative government’s record on the economy.

· News reports also highlighted the NDP health care promise to significantly expand medical training for doctors and nurses.

Liberal +16.5
NewsInfluence Index

· News reports remained mixed for the Liberal campaign, with negative news reports suggesting there is growing dissension among party strategists and advisors.

· Negative coverage was offset by positive coverage for Leader Stephane Dion’s comments on the economy, and a campaign promise on the fisheries.

BQ +6
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Gilles Duceppe received mentions from CTV News and the Calgary Herald, while a Globe and Mail column reflected on the party’s campaign challenges in Quebec.

Green -7
NewsInfluence Index

· Negative articles, including the Victoria Times Colonist, Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Journal and Ottawa Citizen, noted the Green Party’s nominations are incomplete.

A sudden downturn in financial markets resulted in prominent election coverage for the Conservative, NDP and Liberal parties on the economy. Prime Minister Stephen Harper allayed recession fears, while Jack Layton and Stephane Dion attacked the government’s economic record.