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. 17-18/08

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. 18/08

Conservatives Hit Again, This Time by Listeria Health Crisis

Conservative -16.5
NewsInfluence Index

· In negative tones, extensive television and print coverage observed that the Conservative campaign moved into damage control over inappropriate comments by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz during the listeria health crisis.

· A large volume of negative news reports was partly offset by positive print coverage about Leader Stephen Harper’s remarks on Quebec culture and nationalism. Harper also said spending promises by opposition parties were reckless.

· Balanced news reports noted Harper has agreed to disclose the full costs of Canada’s military mission to Afghanistan.

Liberal +40.5
NewsInfluence Index

· In positive tones, a heavy volume of television and print news items featured promises by Liberal Leader Stephane Dion on child care and education.

· In balanced tones, some columns pointed out the Liberal campaign is retooling to highlight effective campaign performances by Bob Rae, Michael Ignatieff and others.

Green +36
NewsInfluence Index

· Green Leader Elizabeth May received high profile media attention for releasing the party’s election platform. News reports delivered a message that the Green Party wants to shift taxes from income to pollution, following a similar approach to Liberal policies on the environment.

NDP +25
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Jack Layton received a heavy volume of positive coverage for a campaign promise on child care, but this was offset by negative news reports about a B.C. candidate who resigned for promoting illegal drug use.

BQ +2
NewsInfluence Index

· A Montreal Gazette article highlighted comments by Leader Gilles Duceppe  opposing intolerance in his party.

The Conservative campaign was knocked off message again, this time by “tasteless” and “callous” comments by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz about the national listeria outbreak that has killed 17 people so far. NDP Leader Jack Layton demanded Ritz be fired both as minister and a Conservative candidate.