The Australian Democrats have accused the Federal Government of grossly underestimating the value of Australia Television (ATV) following reports of the imminent sale of the ABC's Asian satellite network to Kerry Stokes' Seven Network for less than $10 million.

Media and Broadcasting Spokesperson for the Democrats, Senator Vicki Bourne, said "If the reported price is correct, the Government has given Mr Stokes a real bargain. The current winter retail sales are nothing compared to this!

"It is irresponsible of the Coalition to sell such a valuable national resource at such a low price, ostensibly to save the pathetic amount of $2.6 million pa. needed to keep the service operating.

In a region where media freedom is all too rare, ATV has become one of the most respected and unbiased news and current affairs services. ATV shows what is really going on in Australia. It has become a very valuable commodity and its sale may well contribute to loss of national prestige for Australia.

"The ATV-owned transponder on the Palapa C Satellite reaches 15 countries across North and South East Asia and currently around 20 million homes. The value of this can only increase.

"The sale of ATV is a better outcome than the service being completely closed. However, the Government has a responsibility to obtain guarantees from Mr Stokes and the Seven Network that:

• ABC news and current affairs programmes are retained, under ABC editorial control;

• current staffing levels are at least maintained;

• there will be no editorial interference in information programming in situations of potential conflict with commercial interest; and

• any monies raised by the sale of ATV will be returned to the ABC (note this was a recommendation of the Mansfield Report) with a priority being the restoration of Radio Australia funding.

"Without these guarantees it would not be in Australia's interest for this sale to proceed."