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. 16-17/08

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. 17/08

Negative Conservative Coverage Features Lost Jobs, Economy and Afghanistan

Conservative -14
NewsInfluence Index

· Several negative media items emphasized demands for the Conservative government to release full costs for Canada’s military mission to Afghanistan, more controversy around the party’s in-and-out campaign financing, and a Globe and Mail poll showing the Conservatives losing ground in key Ontario ridings.

· Negative television coverage featured union members protesting lost jobs, as more financial turmoil rocked stock markets and the economy.

· Negative media was partly offset by positive coverage for Leader Stephen Harper’s promise of modest help for first-time home buyers, and comments about the party’s campaign in Quebec.

NDP +29
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Jack Layton received very positive television coverage for his attacks on the Conservative government’s handling of the economy, and campaign events that highlight closed plants and lost jobs in Ontario.

Liberal +26
NewsInfluence Index

· Positive television and print coverage also featured comments by Liberal Leader Stephane Dion on lost jobs and the Conservative government’s handling of the economy.

· A positive Toronto Star front page article highlighted a Liberal campaign promise on health care. Dion called in a Global National item for the government to disclose the costs of the military mission to Afghanistan.

· Positive coverage in British Columbia emphasized campaign promises on crime and gang violence.

· Positive election coverage was partly offset by negative items about the faltering Liberal campaign, including a CTV News report, a Globe and Mail editorial, and a Montreal Gazette item about problems with a Quebec candidate.

BQ +7
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Gilles Duceppe called in television coverage for an accounting of Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan.

· Print articles featured criticism by Duceppe about the Conservative promise of tax cuts on diesel fuel.

Green +4
NewsInfluence Index

· Local coverage followed nominations and campaign events in Vancouver and Saskatchewan.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper faced angry union members, questions on economic turmoil and demands to disclose the full costs of Canada’s military mission to Afghanistan. Positive coverage highlighted NDP and Liberal attacks on lost jobs and the government’s handling of the economy.