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. 25-26/08

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. 26/08

Conservatives in Hot Water Again for Candidate Remarks on Immigrants

Green +7
NewsInfluence Index

· Positive coverage for Green Party environment policies included a Toronto Star front page articles and a Vancouver Sun news report.

BQ +4
NewsInfluence Index

· A Toronto Star news report noted the Bloc Quebecois recovered voter support in response to controversy over federal budget cuts to culture, and a Vancouver Province item highlighted criticism from Leader Gilles Duceppe for Conservative crime policies.

NDP +3
NewsInfluence Index

· Mixed election coverage results in a low NewsInfluence Index for the NDP.

· Positive news reports highlight comments by Leader Jack Layton on the economy and consumers.

· Negative news reports emphasize controversy over remarks by a B.C. candidate about shutting down Alberta’s oil sands industry.

Liberal -6
NewsInfluence Index

· Positive campaign coverage for comments by Leader Stephane Dion on turmoil in financial markets and the need for better economic policies was offset by negative coverage for the Liberal Party’s poor campaign performance.

· Several news reports and columns described a Liberal campaign that is headed for defeat in the election.

· Media items also highlighted controversy over remarks by a Winnipeg candidate.

Conservative -16.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Calgary incumbent Lee Richardson received extensive negative media attention for comments about immigrants and crime. News reports suggested the remarks undermine efforts by the Conservative Party to build bridges with immigrant communities.

· Negative news reports were partly offset by positive coverage for remarks by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the need for sound management in government during turbulent times in the economy.

Calgary MP Lee Richardson generated negative campaign coverage for his remarks on crime and immigrants. Several news reports and columns suggest Liberal campaign is hampered by Leader Stephane Dion’s poor performance. News reports see culture cuts boosting voter support for Bloc Quebecois.

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