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. 26-27/08

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. 27/08

NDP Gaining Ground on Faltering
Liberals

NDP +35
NewsInfluence Index

· Extensive television and print coverage positioned the NDP as gaining voter support at the expense of the faltering Liberal campaign. News reports suggest the NDP could have a shot at forming official opposition in the election.

· Some media items note a health care promise from Leader Jack Layton for a catastrophic drug plan.

Conservative +0.5
NewsInfluence Index

· A heavy volume of election coverage for the Conservative Party was mixed in tone.

· Positive news reports featured Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments on the need for stability in troubled economic times, plans to ban tar sands exports, and a big lead in public opinion polls.

· Negative coverage highlighted an RCMP investigation underway in the Bernier affair, criticism from Quebec for arts funding cuts, and a reality check from CBC News for campaign promises about crime.

Green 0
NewsInfluence Index

BQ 0
NewsInfluence Index

· The Green Party and Bloc Quebecois did not receive prominent election coverage.

Liberal -8
NewsInfluence Index

· Several negative media items emphasized the Liberal Party is not gaining voter support as the third week of the election campaign winds down.

· News reports emphasize a Winnipeg candidate was fired from the campaign over controversial remarks.

· Negative coverage was partly offset by positive television and print items about Leader Stephane Dion’s comments on the economy.

A heavy volume of television and print news reports position the NDP as gaining voter support at the expense of a Liberal campaign that is failing to make much headway after three weeks on the campaign trail. Mixed coverage for the Conservative Party highlights worry about the economy, an RCMP investigation into the Bernier affair, and controversial arts funding cuts.