I strongly agree that free speech is crucial, but the first part of your statement is in direct opposition to the second.

People stating their perspectives and arguing against other's with complete disregard for civility (or being 'mean' as you said), makes it far more difficult for people to respect opposing viewpoints.

On the contrary, I think a meaningful part of the population is incapable of digesting ideas without them being coupled to conflict. You don't need to respect opposing viewpoints in order to engage with them.

For such people everything must be framed in a good versus evil, us vs them or generally sensationalist manner to sustain any kind of attention.