I don't think freedom of speech is unfortunate
.. but abuse of the concept is imo. Where it has been enshrined in constitutions it hasn't been done with the intention of allowing anyone to say whatever they wanted to or about anyone, whenever or wherever they choose; it was granted for more worthy reasons, and isn't an absolute anyway. I see no reason in decent society why it should be held above human compassion or respect for others, nor used as an excuse for failing to demonstrate these.
It's not dishonest to consider the effect of one's words on the person they refer to, and think about that when publishing one's view of their work .. just reasonable in any decent society
Caryl