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. 23-24/08

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. 24/08

Conservatives Attacked on All Sides
Over Cuts to Arts Funding

Liberal +30.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Liberal Leader Stephane Dion received a heavy volume of election coverage for a campaign event at a film studio in British Columbia, where he criticized the Conservative government over cuts to arts funding.

· A negative Ottawa Citizen front page article noted troubles in the Liberal campaign in Eastern Ontario.

NDP +22
NewsInfluence Index

· Negative coverage for a B.C. candidate who resigned amid controversy offset positive media for Leader Jack Layton, who led a chorus of opposition to Conservative policies on arts funding.

· Positive news reports highlighted effective television advertising in Quebec, which positioned the Conservative government as opposed to arts and culture.

BQ +8
NewsInfluence Index

· News reports pointed out Leader Gilles Duceppe harshly attacked Conservative cuts to culture, which have developed as a prominent election issue in Quebec.

Green +4
NewsInfluence Index

· A campaign swing by rail by Leader Elizabeth May received regional media attention in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Conservative -11
NewsInfluence Index

· A very heavy volume of election coverage was mixed for the Conservative Party, as negative news reports about arts funding outweighed positive media items on crime.

· Television coverage from CBC News, CTV News and Global National all pointed out recent cuts to culture funding have become a lightning rod for opposition in Quebec.

· In  balanced tones, a CTV News item suggested the controversy will have little impact on rural Quebec, where the Conservative campaign is performing well. A CBC News reality check observed there has been little change overall to funding levels for culture and sports.

A heavy volume of election coverage featured attacks on all sides over Conservative cuts to arts funding. Quebec artists received high profile television coverage for opposing the cuts. Liberal Leader Stephane Dion criticized  the federal government at a B.C. film studio. Positive NDP coverage was offset by negative news reports about a B.C. candidate who resigned.