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. 22-23/08

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. 23/08

High Media Profile for Liberal Platform,
Conservative Crime Promises

Liberal +77.5
NewsInfluence Index

· The Liberal Party received extensive election coverage for the release of its party platform. News reports explained the key element is a $40 billion shift in taxes from income to pollution. Media items also featured a promise by Leader Stephane Dion that a Liberal government would not run a deficit, and a warning that spending promises would depend on the strength of the economy.

· Prominent coverage for the Liberal platform included several television news items and front page headlines from the Calgary Herald, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, National Post and Toronto Star.

· Positive news items also noted the Liberal Party nominated more women candidates than any other party.

Conservative +45
NewsInfluence Index

· Amid heavy media attention for the Liberal election platform, the Conservative Party received high profile coverage as well for new crime proposals to toughen the Young Offenders Act.

· News reports included network television items, front page headlines in the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, and numerous national print items.

Green +21
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Elizabeth May received heavy media coverage for her campaign swing by rail.

· Positive news reports included in depth network television coverage from CBC News and Global National, and front page coverage from the Edmonton Journal.

NDP +8
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Jack Layton was less prominent in election media, as he promised a review of the North American Free Trade Agreement and commented on a possible coalition government with the Liberal Party.

BQ 0
NewsInfluence Index

· The Bloc Quebecois was not prominent in national election coverage.

The Liberal Party received a heavy volume of election coverage for its campaign platform, highlighting a tax shift from income to pollution and a warning that spending promises will depend on the strength of the economy. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper also had a high media profile for promising tougher crime measures to deal with young offenders.