This statement came from Cath Gunn, a "communication activist". (She was the person responsible for getting the United Nations to designate a year as International Literacy Year.)
When we demand 'political correctness' (as opposed to libel or slander) do we deny people the right to free speech and are we denying people the right to information as a result? Has debate been stifled by a demand for political correctness? Has fear of litigation and trial by media meant that robust debate no longer takes place in the media and academia?

if you figure out what free speech means, let me know.

my present understanding is: you can say what you want in public as long as it doesn't upset john howard.

Such cynicism Demos!
Free speech - I'd say the ability to say whatever one wishes provided that it does not cause others to be brought into 'hatred, ridicule or contempt' (which is pretty much the definition of slander and libel) and which should be wide enough to encompass deliberately stirring up something like ethnic or religious hatred without having to pussy foot around other issues.
Other issues? Gender, race, age, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, marital status - or to put it more bluntly whether you are male or female, black, white, purple or yellow and from Australia, Turkey or Turkmenistan, 2 or 202, crippled, deaf or blind, Christian, Muslim or Calathumpian, gay or straight or curved, married or living in single or dual bliss with or without children, kids or the dogs.
More seriously Demos - would it help relationships with one another if we ditched some of the so-called 'politically correct' rhetoric and felt free to acknowledge some of the above sorts of information. Would we know more about each other and have less room for misunderstanding?
Why do gays have to 'come out' and why is a blind person, 'vision impaired'- especially when he might well see more clearly than I do? Comments please!

Why use the word 'gay'?

As a member of the Gordons said " Th' 'Gay Gordons' dus'na refer tae a Regement o' poofs.".

Och yes - just goes to show I am as brainwashed as the majority!
But then 'gay pride'?

Misplaced.