Media prominence score (MPS) is a quantitative and comparative index developed by Influence Communication. It enables us to measure the space that an individual, an organization, an event, a subject or theme occupies in a given market. It does not examine the value of the arguments or the ton of coverage.
To evaluate the media prominence score in the news over a seven-day period, Influence collects all mentions in daily newspapers and most weeklies, the main information websites, news and public affairs shows, as well as some variety shows on radio and television. For magazines, only those covering general news, economics or science are taken into account. Music radio shows, advertising, games, drama, newspaper classifieds, obituaries and arts magazines are not included.
The media prominence score of each story is determined based on the average volume of news items produced in a week in a given market. It is formulated as percentage, and it is possible on this basis to compare the space occupied by different stories in the overall weekly media production in that market.
For example, the attack on a mosque in Quebec city occupied 57.99% of all news in Quebec, and 11.78% of all news in Canada between January 30th and February 5th of 2017. A major story is typically one that receives a score of 1% or greater over seven days.