The importance of free and independent public broadcasting was again recognised with the recent Nobel Peace Prize announcement for 2021.  The winners were Maria Pessa (Phillipines) and Dmitry Muratov (Russia), for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace".  While both come from countries in which democracy faces a range of obstacles, here in Australia we should not become complacent, as discussed by Barry Jones in a recent Pearls & Irritations article.  An effective democracy requires transparency and discussion, without fear or favour ... the role for a public broadcaster such as the ABC.