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. 18-19/08

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. 19/08

Conservatives Get Worst Coverage
of Campaign So Far

Conservative -90
NewsInfluence Index

· The Conservative Party was hit by a barrage of negative media coverage, which developed a new narrative about  a campaign marred by a growing string of gaffes.

· Election coverage suggested the stumbles frame the Conservative government as insensitive, out-of-touch and hard edged, during times of consumer fear and worry.

· News reports featured a chorus of calls from oppostion leaders for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for his remarks about the listeria health crisis. A developing story highlighted comments by a staffer about First Nations.

Liberal +39
NewsInfluence Index

· Liberal Leader Stephane Dion received positive coverage for promoting transit and promising $70 billion over 10 years for infrastructure.

· News reports described the retooled campaign as gaining confidence and momentum, by showcasing strong performers and contrasting the Conservative government’s heavy reliance on Prime Minister Harper.

NDP +15
NewsInfluence Index

· Media coverage was mixed for the NDP campaign. Leader Jack Layton received positive attention for promising more funding for seniors’ care. Negative news reports highlighted the party’s problems with a former candidate promoting illegal drug use.

BQ +4
NewsInfluence Index

· Coverage from the Montreal Gazette described Leader Gilles Duceppe as campaigning hard against a strong conservative challenge in rural parts of Quebec.

Green +2
NewsInfluence Index

· The Green Party did not receive prominent media attention, as Leader Elizabeth May headed to Vancouver.

The Conservative Party received its worst election coverage in the campaign so far, as a very heavy volume of news reports positioned Leader Stephen Harper’s apology for comments about the listeria health crisis as the latest in a growing string of gaffes. Developing news reports noted a new controversy around a Conservative staffer’s remarks about First Nations.