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. 24-25/08

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. 25/08

Liberals Hurt by Poor Performance,
Low Voter Support

NDP +17
NewsInfluence Index

· Election coverage points out NDP support is on the rise in British Columbia, making the party the chief threat and target for the Conservative campaign.

· Leader Jack Layton received media attention for a promise to scrap a Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement.

BQ +6
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Gilles Duceppe received national coverage for harshly criticizing campaign promises by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to crack down on young offenders.

Green 0
NewsInfluence Index

· The Green Party did not receive prominent campaign coverage.

Conservative -13
NewsInfluence Index

· In negative tones, television news reports and print coverage observe that Leader Stephen Harper is increasingly isolated from the public, as the party consolidates a lead in public opinion surveys. News reports point out the campaign used police again to bar media access.

· Negative news reports also included: more criticism for culture funding cuts from artists in Toronto; more concerns about food safety; and an Ottawa Citizen front page column criticizing Conservative crime policies.

· Negative coverage was partly offset by positive news reports for the prime minister’s comments on the economy, campaign promises to crack down on polluters, and rising party support in British Columbia.

Liberal -22
NewsInfluence Index

· Election coverage turned negative for the Liberal campaign, as news reports highlighted falling voter support, poor performance by Leader Stephane Dion, and rising tensions inside the party.

· News reports emphasized the Liberals are trailing badly in British Columbia, and observed star candidate Justin Trudeau is meeting stiff opposition in his riding from Quebec nationalists.

Campaign coverage turned negative for the Liberal Party, emphasizing a faltering performance by Leader Stephane Dion, confusing policies on the environment, and low voter support. Negative Conservative coverage highlights opposition to arts funding cuts, and more food safety concerns. Positive media noted the NDP is gaining ground in British Columbia.

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