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. 27-28/08

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. 28/08

Election Media Sees Gains for NDP
at Liberals’ Expense

NDP +20
NewsInfluence Index

· The NDP received another day of positive election coverage, positioning the party as essentially tied with the Liberals for the role of Official Opposition.

· News reports delivered a message that the NDP has gained ground at the expense of the Liberal Party, which was described as faltering on the campaign trail and falling in public support.

· Media coverage anticipated the launch Sunday of the NDP election platform.

Conservative +15
NewsInfluence Index

· News reports turned more positive for the Conservative Party with the absence of negative coverage for candidate controversies and less media attention on controversial funding cuts to arts and culture.

· Leader Stephen Harper stuck to a well worn message track that the Conservative government is best positioned to manage the economy during a period of turbulent financial markets.

BQ +10
NewsInfluence Index

· Leader Gilles Duceppe received national media attention and front page coverage in the Montreal Gazette for his warning that Quebecers can turn only to the Bloc Quebecois if they want to prevent a majority Conservative government.

Green +7
NewsInfluence Index

· Positive news reports from CTV News and the Edmonton Journal followed efforts by Leader Elizabeth May to break through against Canada’s established political parties.

Liberal -12.5
NewsInfluence Index

· Negative coverage for the Liberal Party broadened, as news reports developed a theme that Leader Stephane Dion has failed to catch fire with voters on the campaign trail.

· News reports emphasized that the Liberal Party continues to lose voter support at the end of Week 3, and raised expectations that Dion must make a positive impact during upcoming televised leaders’ debates.

News reports delivered a message that the NDP is poised for gains in the federal election at the expense of the Liberal Party. Election coverage turned more positive for the Conservatives, in the absence of candidate controversies. Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe appealed to Quebecers to block a Conservative majority government.