Findings from 14 October to 20 October

Executive Report

Liberal Leadership Blog Coverage – Rae and Ignatieff dominate the Blogosphere

The total coverage in the Blogosphere remained at similar levels for most of the candidates. The exceptions were Rae and Ignatieff. Rae’s blog coverage increased dramatically from last week (from 181 stories to 274), while Ignatieff’s coverage continues to steadily increase (from 393 stories to 427). Ignatieff continues to dominate the Blogosphere by receiving the most total stories and the most percentage of stories (39%). Rae and Ignatieff make up for 65% of all coverage in the Blogosphere.

Liberal Leadership Weekly News Coverage – Media Tunes In

Coverage of the two leading candidates in the news increased significantly after the last leadership debate in Toronto. Michael Ignatieff”s coverage jumped from 43 stories last week to 390 this week, while Bob Rae went from 37 to 262. Stephane Dion and Gerard Kennedy’s total news coverage also increased somewhat while all other candidates received only a marginal increase during the same time period. Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae continue to garner by far the largest proportion of news coverage, accounting for 72% of all news stories (Ignatieff with 43% and Rae with 29%). The percentage of coverage devoted to Stephane Dion and Gerard Kennedy decreased (from 12% to 8% and from 13% to 7%, respectively). Coverage of Ignatieff showed the largest change, increasing by 18% (from 25% to 43%).

Coverage of Candidates in Blogosphere Week Ending October 20